On June 8, 2017, NEAR Secretary-General Hong Jong-kyoung visited the Embassy of the Social Republic of Vietnam in Seoul and met with Ambassador Nguyen Vu Tu. Secretary-General Hong introduced NEAR and its activities. He also shared that NEAR would like to invite Ho Chi Minh City as the first associate member of NEAR and asked for the support of the Embassy of Vietnam.

Ambassador TU said that the Embassy would offer its support so that regional governments in Vietnam may participate in the various activities of NEAR to increase the levels of exchange with NEAR member regional governments.