A New Hub for Korea-Vietnam Friendship: KVCC Opens in Daegu

Beyond Culture and the Arts:
A Private Exchange Platform Expanding into
Education, Social Contribution, and Economic Cooperation

The KVCC Korea-Vietnam Cultural Exchange Center, newly opened in Dalseong-gun, Daegu, has officially begun its activities as a new private exchange platform connecting Korea and Vietnam.

At the opening of KVCC, attendees participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
[Photo by Byeonggeon Kwon]

The KVCC Korea-Vietnam Cultural Exchange Center and the Korea-Vietnam Cultural Gallery were established as a complex network space, aiming to cover not only cultural and artistic exchanges but also education, social contribution, multicultural exchange, tourism, and economic cooperation.

The Center will operate exhibitions and cultural events centered around the Korea-Vietnam Cultural Gallery and plans to expand its business areas to include the Vietnam Culture Academy, local Vietnamese community programs, exchanges for youth and international students, and business consultations and networking between companies in the future.

The opening ceremony drew attention not only in Korea but also in Vietnam.

Major Vietnamese media outlets such as Vietnam Plus and Vietnam Pictorial (VNA), Vietnam.VN, Nhan Dan, and Bao The gioiva Viet Nam (The World and Vietnam Report) under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, prominently featured the news of the KVCC opening and highlighted its significance in expanding Korea-Vietnam cultural exchanges.

Vietnamese Consul General Doan Phuong Lan is presenting a painting as a gift to Chairman Kwon Jaehang.
[Photo by Kwon Byunggun]

A representative from the Center explained, "This coverage does not imply government designation or official certification, but rather signifies that Korea-Vietnam exchange activities promoted at the private level are attracting attention from both societies."

The KVCC was established based on more than a decade of multicultural support and international exchange experience of the Korea Multicultural Foundation Central Association. The foundation has provided Korean language education, daily life support, cultural exchange, medical volunteer services, and support for vulnerable groups to multicultural families, foreign residents, international students, and expatriates.

Kwon Jaehang, Chairman of the Korea Multicultural Foundation Central Association, stated, "KVCC is the result of long-standing multicultural service and Korea-Vietnam exchange activities being expanded into a concrete space," adding, "We will strive to bring the people of both countries closer together and foster mutual growth through culture, the arts, sharing, and volunteer work."

The opening ceremony was attended by Doan Phuong Lan, Consul General of Vietnam in Busan, as well as figures from both countries' cultural and artistic circles, business leaders, and local dignitaries, who conveyed their congratulations.

A special appointment ceremony was also held during the event. Jang Kwangsik, Director of the National Strategic Planning Office, presented Chairman Kwon Jaehang of the Korea Multicultural Foundation Central Association with an appointment certificate for the National Strategic Planning Office’s Policy Advisory Committee.

Participants are taking a group commemorative photo after the event.
Photo by Byunggun Kwon

Director Jang commented, "Chairman Kwon's extensive experience in supporting multicultural families and international exchange activities will be a valuable asset in the process of national policy-making," and added, "I look forward to his active role in ensuring that voices from the field are reflected in policy."

Chairman Kwon responded, "I will do my best to contribute to national development and social integration based on my accumulated experience in the field of multicultural society and international exchange," and continued, "I will also work to expand Korea-Vietnam private exchanges and build a global talent network."

The appointment of a policy advisory committee member adds significance by incorporating the experience and networks of private experts who have been continuously active in the multicultural and international exchange fields into the national policy advisory system.

Consul General Doan Phuong Lan, in her congratulatory remarks, said, "Culture and the arts are the strongest bridges for understanding and building trust," and expressed her hope that "KVCC will grow into a precious space where the people of Korea and Vietnam can meet, learn, and deepen their friendship."

The event also included a handover ceremony for works from "Van Art," a creative project by Vietnamese artists with disabilities. The artworks, which embody the friendship and cultural heritage of both countries, as well as the values of inclusion and sharing, will be displayed as representative pieces symbolizing KVCC.

KVCC has also established an operational system based on expertise in various fields. CEO Jeon Doyoung oversees the overall operation of the Center, while Operations Director Choi Jinyoung is responsible for external cooperation and business planning. Lee Seoyoung, Director of the Korea-Vietnam Cultural Gallery, manages exhibitions and cultural arts programs and plans to promote exchanges and special exhibitions with artists from both countries.

Going forward, the Center will expand its social contribution projects beyond cultural and artistic exchanges.

The Korea Multicultural Foundation Central Association, KVCC, and Vietnam VKE are promoting the "Haja 1004 Bed Project" to support students in the mountainous region of Ha Giang province, the northernmost area of Vietnam.

This project is an international sharing initiative that provides bunk beds, blankets, school supplies, and daily necessities to students, with the vision of developing it into a private goodwill cooperation project involving citizens from both countries in the future.

Jang Kwangsik, head of the National Strategic Planning Office (right), is taking a commemorative photo after presenting the appointment certificate to Chairman Kwon Jaehang.
[Photo by Kwon Byunggun]

A KVCC representative stated, "Since the opening, we have confirmed the potential of KVCC as a private exchange platform through the attention from Korean and Vietnamese media," and added, "We will expand practical exchange programs in cooperation with the Consulate General, local governments, companies, the cultural and artistic community, and the Vietnamese community."

As Korea and Vietnam mark the 34th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the relationship between the two countries is entering a new era, moving beyond economic cooperation centered on trade and investment to an era of cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

The launch of the KVCC Korea-Vietnam Cultural Exchange Center is significant as a new experiment in private diplomacy originating from the regional city of Daegu.

In particular, the attempt to connect culture and the arts, social contribution, education, and business on a single platform is noteworthy, as it presents a sustainable model for Korea-Vietnam cooperation that goes beyond simple cultural events.

Attention is focused on whether KVCC will establish itself as a hub for private exchanges, enabling citizens of both countries to grow together.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.