During the talks, on behalf of the State and people of Vietnam, the Vietnamese State leader warmly welcomed President Ramaphosa back to Vietnam; congratulated South Africa on the significant achievements under the leadership of the Government of National Unity; and expressed confidence that South Africa would successfully assume the G20 chairmanship in 2025, host the first-ever G20 Summit on the African continent, and continue to be a leading economy in the region with a strong voice at international forums.

President Luong Cuong affirmed that Vietnam and South Africa share a historically close relationship rooted in common ideals of independence, freedom, and the noble spirit of Afro-Asian solidarity.

Recalling the first friendly interaction between the delegation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the African National Congress (ANC) delegation at the Bandung Conference in 1955, he emphasized that, after 70 years, the spirit of solidarity between the two peoples remains intact.

Vietnam has always valued its traditional friendship with South Africa, its close partner, and was the first African country with which Vietnam established the “Partnership for Cooperation and Development” framework in 2004.

Looking back on bilateral relations, President Luong Cuong noted that both sides have achieved important milestones: political trust has been steadily strengthened across all Party, State, and parliamentary channels; economic cooperation has developed, making South Africa Vietnam’s leading trade partner in Africa; and both countries have regularly coordinated closely at multilateral forums and on international and regional issues.

President Ramaphosa expressed his pleasure at returning to Vietnam and thank for the warm, cordial, and thoughtful reception extended by President Luong Cuong, the Vietnamese State, and people to his delegation.

He congratulated the Party, State, and people of Vietnam on the 80th anniversary of National Day, and praised the country’s resilience, perseverance, and remarkable achievements over 40 years of Doi Moi (renewal), particularly in achieving high economic growth and improving living standards. The South African President also commended Vietnam for hosting the opening ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime and hailed Vietnam’s leading role in digital transformation efforts.

President Ramaphosa highlighted that the South African delegation includes several senior ministers in key sectors, reflecting the country’s regard for the longstanding friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam. He described Vietnam as a close friend and important partner in Asia and underscored that the visit demonstrates South Africa’s commitment to consolidating and enhancing the strategic partnership with Vietnam amid ongoing significant domestic and global transformations.

Building on the historically close ties  in common ideals and the positive achievements of bilateral cooperation,  the two State leaders agreed on a roadmap and will complete necessary procedures to upgrade Vietnam–South Africa relations to a Strategic Partnership in 2025. This is designed to creating strong momentum to deepen bilateral relations for the benefit of both peoples and for peace and development in the region and the world.

They consented to further strengthen political closeness and trust through enhanced exchanges at all levels, particularly high-level delegations across Party, State, and National Assembly channels, as well as among ministries, agencies, localities, and businesses. Both sides will optimize existing mechanisms, organize upcoming sessions of the Vietnam–South Africa Intergovernmental Partnership Forum, conduct political consultations between foreign ministries, and engage through the Joint Trade Committee and Defence Policy Dialogue.

On economic cooperation, the two sides concurred that trade and investment should serve as the driving force and central solution for qualitative transformation in bilateral economic relations, commensurate with market scale and needs, ensuring balanced benefits. They called for the opening of markets for each other’s key goods and enterprises and for greater access to regional markets.

The leaders also consented to continue cooperation in key and high-potential sectors such as defence, security, energy, mining, manufacturing, agriculture, peacekeeping, education, vocational training, infrastructure, and green economy.

They will coordinate people-to-people, cultural, artistic, sports, and tourism exchanges to enhance mutual understanding; and will work on finalizing the legal framework, particularly foundational agreements such as the Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement, Mining Cooperation Agreement, Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, and visa exemption for ordinary passport holders.

Regarding regional and international issues of mutual concern, both sides reaffirmed close coordination and cooperation at multilateral forums and on international and regional matters. They agreed to accelerate the peaceful settlement of disputes, refrain from the use or threat of force, and uphold international law and the UN Charter.

President Ramaphosa confirmed South Africa’s readiness to support Vietnam’s candidacies in UN bodies. Vietnam asked South Africa’s support for ASEAN and Vietnamese positions on the East Sea to ensure peace, security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation, and peaceful dispute resolution in accordance with international law, the UN Charter, and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Vietnam, South Africa eye stronger parliamentary cooperation

National Assembly (NA) Vice Chairman Vu Hong Thanh met with Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, and held talks with Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa Annelie Lotriet in Cape Town on July 16, as part of his official visit to South Africa from July 13 - 16.

Vietnam, South Africa enhance cooperation in training of leaders, managers

Vietnam and South Africa will bolster academic exchanges and share experiences in matters of mutual interest such as sustainable development, social equity, and integration policies through the joint organisation of conferences, workshops, and scientific seminars in both countries.