50 years of Vietnam-Angola relations: From sincere friendship to a commitment for the future

Sharing with TG&VN on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Angola diplomatic relations, Angolan Ambassador to Vietnam Fernando Miguel affirmed that the Angola-Vietnam relationship is not simply a partnership but a relationship of sharing, mutual support and companionship on the path towards prosperous development.

Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço and his wife welcome President Luong Cuong and his wife during his State visit to Angola, August 2025. (Source: VNA)

How does the Ambassador assess the most prominent milestones in the Vietnam-Angola relationship over the past five decades? If you could describe the bilateral relationship in phrases, what would they be?

Five decades of Angola-Vietnam diplomatic relations (November 12, 1975 - November 12, 2025) are 50 years of friendship and deep empathy between two peoples who share the same aspirations for independence, freedom, human dignity and cooperation for development.

When Angola gained independence in 1975, Vietnam was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with us, opening a relationship imbued with brotherhood between two countries that, although geographically distant, are close in history and spirit of solidarity.

Angolan Ambassador to Vietnam Fernando Miguel. (Source: Angolan Embassy in Vietnam)

Throughout that journey, Vietnam has supported Angola not only politically but also in areas essential to people's lives such as education and health.

Thousands of Vietnamese experts have come to Angola to teach, provide health care and share valuable experiences; at the same time, many Angolan students and officials have also been trained in Vietnam, becoming "living bridges" connecting the friendship between the two nations.

It is a mutually beneficial partnership, and a symbol of solidarity, trust and mutual respect between the two brotherly countries. Therefore, the Angola-Vietnam relationship is not simply a partnership but a relationship of sharing, mutual support and companionship on the path towards prosperous development.

If I were to choose a few phrases to summarize this relationship, they would be: “Sincere friendship – Mutually beneficial cooperation – Towards the future”.

These words not only reflect the spirit of the past, but also express a commitment to the future: to continue to nurture a relationship built on history, strengthened by trust, and directed toward the common prosperity of our two peoples.

Angolan Minister of Agriculture Fernando Faustino Muteka visits an agricultural cooperative in Gia Lam district, Hanoi, May 1984. (Source: VNA)

In the new development stage, especially with the strong changes in Vietnam today, what are your expectations for the prospects of bilateral cooperation, especially in the economic field?

I believe that the Angola-Vietnam relationship is entering a new, profound and promising phase of development. After 50 years of friendship and solidarity, this is a favorable time for the two countries to elevate their relationship to a mutually beneficial strategic partnership.

Today, Vietnam is a dynamic country with valuable experience in areas such as agriculture, light industry, information technology, education and health – areas directly related to the quality of life of its people. Meanwhile, Angola has abundant natural resources, fertile land, a young population and is determined to diversify its economy. The two economies are therefore naturally complementary, which can create a solid, practical and sustainable model of South-South cooperation.

In my opinion, economic cooperation between Angola and Vietnam needs to be strengthened in three priority directions:

Agriculture and food security, leveraging Vietnam's strengths in farming techniques, improving crop varieties and building sustainable agricultural value chains;

Training and developing human resources, through expanding scholarship programs and cooperation in vocational education, an area in which Vietnam has strengths;

Promote bilateral investment and trade, strengthen connections between chambers of commerce, investment promotion agencies and the business community to implement specific projects, bringing practical benefits to both sides.

In the context of globalization, economic cooperation is not only limited to the exchange of goods, but also the sharing of knowledge, technology and development vision. I believe that, with a solid political foundation, trust between the two Parties and the two Governments, together with the dynamism of the business community, the Angola-Vietnam cooperation in the new period will not only expand in scale but also go into depth, contributing directly to improving the lives of the people of the two countries.

The expectation of strengthening bilateral relations in all fields was further affirmed through the State visit of President Luong Cuong to the Republic of Angola from August 6-8, 2025, an event that opened up new strategic directions for cooperation between the two countries.

Thanh Phuc Group Company (Hai Phong) specializes in manufacturing brick production lines for export to a number of markets, including Angola. (Source: VNA)

Could you share your thoughts on Vietnam's development story and aspirations, from your experience living and working here?

Although I have only been assigned to Vietnam since April 2025, I have had the honor of attending two events of great historical and symbolic significance to the Vietnamese people: the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025) and the 80th Anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025).

These are not only important national holidays, but also vivid evidence of the indomitable spirit, self-reliance and aspiration of the Vietnamese people under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Through these events, I feel the deep patriotism, national pride and belief in the future present in every citizen here.

What impressed me most was the harmonious combination of discipline, strategic vision and creativity that Vietnam has shown in its development journey. The country is transforming strongly, focusing on innovation, digital transformation, green and sustainable development – ​​a modern, global vision that still retains its national cultural identity.

I believe that with political stability, national solidarity and the wise leadership of the Party and Government, Vietnam will continue to reap many great achievements. I also believe that on that path forward, Angola and Vietnam – two countries that once shared the same aspiration for independence – will continue to walk side by side, united by the aspiration for development, cooperation and common prosperity.

Thank you very much, Ambassador!

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/50-nam-quan-he-viet-nam-angola-tu-tinh-huu-nghi-chan-thanh-den-loi-cam-ket-cho-tuong-lai-334090.html