During the talks, Tu warmly welcomed Mokonyane and the high-level ANC delegation to Vietnam, marking the party’s first visit in 25 years. The visit coincided with the birthday of President Ho Chi Minh, the beloved leader of the Vietnamese people. Tu expressed confidence that this trip will further deepen the long-standing friendship and traditional cooperation between the CPV and the ANC, as well as between the two countries.

Mokonyane told her host that the visit is part of the efforts to implement the outcomes of the historic high-level phone call between Part General Secretary To Lam and ANC President and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in April. She reaffirmed the ANC’s and the South African Government’s commitment to strengthening traditional friendship and all-around cooperation with Vietnam.

She said that the ANC and South African people hold deep admiration for Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh, emphasizing that Vietnam’s struggle for independence served as a great source of inspiration for African nations, including South Africa.

Mokonyane stressed that the visit holds great significance as South Africa undergoes major transitions amid a shifting global landscape. She expressed hope that the visit will help the ANC in shaping its strategies for Party building and national leadership in the coming years.

During the talks, both sides exchanged updates on the situations in their respective Parties and countries. They underlined the importance of preserving and promoting relations between the two ruling parties as a guiding force for expanding practical and effective cooperation between Vietnam and South Africa.

The two sides consented to actively carry out the outcomes of the historic phone call between Party General Secretary To Lam and ANC President Ramaphosa, as well as the contents of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation signed during this visit. Key priorities include intensifying exchanges and delegation visits, especially at the high level between the two Parties and countries, and stepping up experience-sharing on Party building, leadership, and governance.

Tu thanked ANC President and South African President Ramaphosa for inviting CPV leaders to G20 Summit of Political Parties and Vietnam’s state leaders to the G20 Summit to be held in South Africa in November 2025. He affirmed that Vietnamese senior leaders will contribute actively to the success of these important events and expressed hope to welcome President Ramaphosa on an official visit to Vietnam in the near future.

Mokonyane highlighted the signing of the MoU between the two Parties as a significant milestone in CPV–ANC relations. It demonstrates their strong solidarity and traditional ties and provides a framework for substantive engagement and cooperation across multiple areas.

In that spirit, she said the ANC will continue sending high-level delegations, including senior officials from Party organs and government agencies to Vietnam for in-depth discussions with their Vietnamese counterparts and to propel bilateral cooperation forward.

Reviewing concrete areas of cooperation, the two sides hailed positive developments in bilateral ties, especially trade, with two-way turnover approximating US$1.8 billion in 2024. They concurred to boost economic and trade cooperation in line with each country’s potential, and to work together to effectively carry out the Intergovernmental Partnership Forum, Defence Policy Dialogue, and the Vietnam–South Africa Joint Trade Committee.

They also pledged to maintain close coordination in multilateral frameworks and to strengthen cultural and artistic exchanges to deepen mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries.

Mokonyane voiced support for expanding cooperation into new fields such as energy, agriculture, and digital transformation. She welcomed Vietnam’s proposal to negotiate a free trade agreement with the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).

Host and guest also discussed regional and international issues of shared concern and agreed to continue close cooperation and mutual support at global forums to promote peace, cooperation, and development.

At the end of the meeting, Tu and Mokonyane signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the CPV and ANC on behalf of the two Parties.

Hanoi seeks stronger cooperation with South African localities

A delegation from Hanoi led by Nguyen Thi Tuyen, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the municipal Party Committee, paid a visit to South Africa from October 27-31, which aimed to explore opportunities for cooperation between Hanoi and various South African localities through a series of meetings and economic, trade and investment activities.