The 2025 Vietnam Culture Week has officially opened in Pyeongtaek, a city located 70 kilometres southwest of Seoul, marking the first time the city is hosting a cultural event dedicated solely to Việt Nam.
Jointly organised by the Pyeongtaek city government and the Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation, the week-long event will run until June 26.
In his opening remarks, the Mayor of Pyeongtaek, Jung Jang-seon, described the city as an increasingly international and liveable destination, boosted by the presence of Samsung’s semiconductor cluster. He noted the city’s sister-city relationship with Việt Nam’s central city of Đà Nẵng and expressed hope that the event will deepen people-to-people ties and provide comfort to overseas Vietnamese living in Korea.
Vietnamese Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Vũ Hồ, also addressed the gathering, highlighting the role of cultural exchanges in promoting mutual understanding and enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, and education. He acknowledged the presence of about 3,000 Vietnamese residents in Pyeongtaek, out of the 300,000 Vietnamese living in the Republic of Korea, noting their active contribution to the local economy. He urged local authorities to continue supporting the Vietnamese community in the city.
The opening ceremony took place at Baedari Library Garden in downtown Pyeongtaek and featured a symbolic lotus release, representing the purity of Vietnamese culture.
Key highlights of the week include a cultural exchange with Cherry Hyeri, a Korean YouTuber popular among Vietnamese audiences, as well as traditional craft displays, áo dài (long dress) try-ons, and bamboo dance sessions. Traditional music and performances from both countries are scheduled to continue throughout the week.
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