Former South Korean President Lee Myung-bak will depart for Vietnam later Monday on a five-day visit aimed at boosting bilateral ties with the Southeast Asian nation, his aides said.

Lee's visit comes at the invitation of Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang. The two leaders are scheduled to meet later in the day to discuss ways to expand bilateral cooperation in business and culture, among other areas.

Their meeting comes as South Korea and Vietnam have been pushing to conclude a free trade deal before the year's end.

During his stay in Vietnam, Lee is also scheduled to hold separate meetings with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Korean businessmen and residents in the country.

Lee and Sang met on several occasions during Lee's term to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral ties through joint projects in nuclear power plant construction and natural resources development.

Lee left office in February 2013 at the end of a single five-year term.

Last month, he traveled to the United States to attend an international Christian convention in Florida. (Yonhap)