Korean Companies in Southeast Asia — 2026-09-09
Vietnam and South Korea have agreed to deepen cooperation in semiconductors and AI data centers following high-level parliamentary talks. Meanwhile, bilateral trade between the two nations surged 41% in the first seven months of 2026, driven by strong demand for Vietnamese seafood and electronics components.
Korean Companies in Southeast Asia — 2026-09-09
Top developments
Vietnam-Korea Parliamentary Talks on Semiconductors and AI
During talks on September 7, 2026, the Chairmen of the National Assemblies of Vietnam and South Korea agreed to finalize policies that create a favorable legal environment for businesses in both countries. The discussions specifically highlighted the need to promote Korean investment in Vietnam’s semiconductor sector and large-scale AI data centers. This move signals a strategic shift from traditional manufacturing to high-tech infrastructure, with Vietnam aiming to position itself as a key node in the global chip supply chain.
Bilateral Trade Hits $70.5 Billion in First Seven Months
Total export-import turnover between Vietnam and South Korea reached $70.5 billion in the first seven months of 2026, marking a significant 41% year-on-year increase compared to the same period in 2025. This robust growth underscores the deepening economic integration between the two nations, with Korean companies increasingly relying on Vietnam for both production and sourcing. The surge reflects broader trends of supply chain diversification away from China, with Korean firms solidifying their footprint in Vietnamese industrial zones.
SK Group Explores Large-Scale AI Center in Vietnam
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung visited the AI center of SK Group and expressed strong support for the conglomerate's proposal to build a large-scale AI center in Vietnam. This endorsement highlights the growing interest of Korean tech giants in Vietnam's digital infrastructure potential. If realized, this project would represent one of the most significant foreign direct investments in Vietnam's emerging AI sector, further diversifying Korean corporate interests beyond manufacturing.
Deals, expansion & investment
No specific new factory groundbreaking or M&A deals involving Korean companies were announced in the past 24 hours. However, the ongoing diplomatic momentum suggests imminent follow-up agreements regarding the AI and semiconductor sectors discussed during the parliamentary talks.
Regulation & market context
The Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade reported that Korean companies showed strong interest in the Vietnam International Sourcing (VIS 2026) fair. Key sectors of interest include food, logistics, digital technology, mechanics, shipbuilding, and seafood distribution. This indicates a broadening of Korean corporate engagement beyond traditional electronics manufacturing into services and heavy industry.
On the radar
- Seafood Export Surge: Reports indicate that South Korea's imports of a specific Vietnamese commodity (likely seafood, given the context of VIS 2026 interests) increased by 188% compared to the same period in 2025. This rapid growth highlights the strength of consumer goods trade alongside industrial supply chains.
By the numbers
- $70.5 billion: Total bilateral trade between Vietnam and South Korea in the first 7 months of 2026.
- +41%: Year-on-year growth in Vietnam-Korea trade volume for the same period.
- +188%: Increase in South Korea's imports of a key Vietnamese product line compared to 2025 levels.
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