President Ramaphosa offered incense and respectfully expressed his deep gratitude to General Vo Nguyen Giap, former Politburo member, former Secretary of the Central Military Commission, former Minister of National Defence, and former Commander-in-Chief of the Vietnam People’s Army.

The South African leader then wrote in the family’s guest book and received a commemorative photograph of General Vo Nguyen Giap from his son, Vo Hong Nam.

The life and career of the general were closely associated with the development of the Vietnamese revolution and the nation’s glorious, heroic historical milestones. For more than 30 years as Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Secretary of the Central Military Commission, his name was inseparably linked with the great victories of Vietnam’s two long and arduous resistance wars against French colonialism and American imperialism, as well as with the cause of national construction and defence.

Ramaphosa's October 23-24 visit, the first by a South African President to Vietnam in 18 years, marks a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship, following his historic phone call with Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam on April 22. This event reflects the special importance both countries attach to their bilateral ties, as well as their determination to elevate the relations.

Prime Minister meets with visiting South African President

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on October 23 had a meeting with visiting South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, during which the two sides agreed to promote market access for each other’s goods and products in order to boost bilateral trade.