Vietnam, South Africa promote partnership for cooperation, development

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s bilateral activities within his trip to South Africa to attend G20 Summit from November 21–24 are expected to advance the Vietnam–South Africa Partnership for Cooperation and Development.

Vietnam, South Africa promote partnership for cooperation, development -0
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right) meets with South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa in Hanoi on October 23. (Photo: VNA)

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s bilateral activities within his trip to South Africa to attend G20 Summit from November 21–24 are expected to advance the Vietnam–South Africa Partnership for Cooperation and Development.

Vietnam and South Africa established diplomatic relations on December 22, 1993, though their cooperation dates back to the 1960s. During Vietnam’s resistance war against the US, the country received strong moral support from the people and African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa. Vietnam backed South Africa’s fight against apartheid and its efforts to build a democratic, non-racial society.

Building on this longstanding foundation, bilateral relations have grown strongly over the past three decades across Party, state and people-to-people channels. South Africa was the first African country with which Vietnam established a Partnership for Cooperation and Development.

Both sides have maintained dynamic political and diplomatic engagement through regular all-level visits and exchanges at Party, State, parliamentary and ministry-levels. People-to-people exchanges have also been encouraged to strengthen mutual understanding. The most notable recent example was South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa’s state visit to Vietnam on October 23–24.

During the visit, Vietnamese leaders affirmed the importance of solidarity between the two nations and their commitment to strengthening traditional friendship. President Ramaphosa said the trip reaffirmed South Africa’s determination to deepen cooperation with Vietnam as the country seeks wider global economic engagement.

Vietnam and South Africa agreed to accelerate work toward upgrading their ties to a Strategic Partnership in 2025, aiming to create fresh momentum for more substantive cooperation for the benefit of both peoples and for peace and development in the region and the world.

The two countries also coordinate and support each other at international organisations and multilateral forums. South Africa has recently supported Vietnam’s candidacies to the UN Security Council (2020–2021), the Human Rights Council (2023–2025) and the World Heritage Committee (2023–2027).

Strong potential in economic, trade ties

Economic cooperation remains one of the most dynamic areas of the partnership. South Africa is Vietnam’s leading trade partner and export market in Africa. Bilateral trade increased from 192 million USD in 2007 to 1.72 billion USD in 2024.

Vietnam, South Africa promote partnership for cooperation, development -0
An overview of the South Africa-Vietnam Business Forum in Hanoi on October 24. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam mainly exports electronics, mobile phones and components, textiles, footwear, and agricultural products such as coffee, rice, cashew nuts and pepper. South Africa’s exports to Vietnam include minerals, particularly coal, alongside fruits, wood, chemicals and other raw materials.

Both sides are also exploring new areas of cooperation, including mining, machinery, metallurgy, steel production, renewable energy, textiles, footwear, fertilisers, processed foods and supporting industries.

As of July, South Africa had 20 valid investment projects in Vietnam worth 0.88 million USD. Vietnam had four projects in South Africa with registered capital of 8.86 million USD.

There is growing scope for cooperation in new and green energy, climate finance, e-commerce, banking and finance, science, technology and innovation, and tourism. Currently, the two sides are actively discussing measures to promote bilateral economic cooperation through the exchange of potential export products, jointly solving market access issues, promoting cooperation in areas of strength, such as mineral exploitation, supporting industries, oil and gas services, renewable energy, and fisheries.

Looking ahead, Vietnam and South Africa aim to scale up trade and economic cooperation to match their potential; strengthen ties in education, defence and security; and explore opportunities in sustainable resource use, infrastructure development and climate change response. They also plan to make full use of mechanisms such as the Intergovernmental Partnership Forum, the Defence Policy Dialogue and the Vietnam–South Africa Joint Trade Committee, while boosting cultural and artistic exchanges to increase mutual understanding.

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang said the visit is expected to elevate Vietnam–South Africa relations, bringing concrete results in trade, investment, industry, mining, logistics, green supply chains and innovation.

She further stated that Vietnam hopes to establish priority channels to facilitate the movement of capital, technology, goods and skilled workers, creating new opportunities for Vietnamese businesses in key sectors. The country also seeks to strengthen people-to-people links and cooperation in culture, education, labour and tourism, and to support stronger connections between the Vietnamese community in South Africa, the host society and the homeland, contributing practically to bilateral ties.

VNA

Other News

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

The NA's Committee for Cultural and Social Affairs has moved fast to reshuffle its organisation after the 14th National Party Congress and the election of deputies to the 16th NA, updating its work agenda to match new directives set out in the resolutions of the 14th National Party Congress and the first Congress of the NA Party Organisation for the 2025–2030 term.

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam and Croatia should strive to double bilateral trade turnover from the current level of 161 million USD; study the establishment of a Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation to create a long-term, stable, and effective framework for collaboration, said Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Jesús Faria expressed deep admiration for President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam’s indomitable struggle for national independence. He described President Ho Chi Minh as an immortal symbol of 20th-century national liberation movements, whose legacy continues to inspire leftist parties, progressive movements, and peoples across Latin America, including Venezuela.

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang shared Vietnam’s approach to building an independent and self-reliant economy linked to deep international integration, while proposing several key areas for enhanced cooperation between BRICS and partner countries at the Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting that opened on May 14 in India.

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

PSNews - The spokesperson stated that the dispatch of personnel by relevant parties to features belonging to Truong Sa without Vietnam’s permission constitutes a violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty under international law. She stressed that such actions run counter to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) as well as ongoing efforts by countries to negotiate a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

PSNews - Vietnam’s proposals placed the highest priority on ensuring a peaceful and stable environment conducive for continued sustainable development and improving the well-being and happiness of the ASEAN people. They were praised by member states and incorporated into the core contents of the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the response to the Middle East crisis.

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam highly values the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in strengthening national capacity in crime prevention and criminal justice, drug control, and addressing emerging challenges, particularly cybercrime, said Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang.

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Consolidating the central steering committees for institutional and legal reform and for judicial reform is necessary in order to streamline organisational structures without reducing responsibilities, while ensuring clear accountability, measurable outputs and concrete results. Following the restructuring, the body will be renamed the central steering committee for institutional improvement and law enforcement, with the Party General Secretary and State President serving as its head.

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

At the meeting this week, Ambassador Viet briefed the UNGA President on developments during the first two weeks of the conference. He stressed that the current international geopolitical landscape poses numerous complex challenges, while reaffirming Vietnam’s determination, together with other member states, to promote substantive and balanced outcomes at the conference.

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

The host leader stressed that cooperation between localities, particularly between the capitals of Hanoi and Vientiane, plays an especially important role as a pioneering force in effectively implementing the foreign polices of the two Parties and States, while also serving as a bridge between politics and development, as well as between strategy and concrete action.