Elevating Vietnam-South Africa relations to a deeper and more substantial level

At the invitation of President Luong Cuong, President of the Republic of South Africa Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa paid a State visit to Vietnam from October 23 to 24, 2025. This is the first visit by a South African head of state to Vietnam in nearly 20 years and is a historic milestone in promoting the deepening and substantive relations between the two countries.

South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa. (Photo: Provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs )

Located in the southernmost part of Africa, the Republic of South Africa is currently the largest economy in Africa, with the continent's leading education, health care, and infrastructure systems. South Africa's main economic sectors include mining, transportation, tourism, agriculture, etc. South Africa produces about 4 million tons of chromium per year (accounting for 60% of chromium transactions in the world market), is the world's leading gold exporter, the world's second largest platinum producer, and the world's fourth largest wine producer.

As an economic power on the continent, South Africa has always played a role as a representative and voice of the region at multilateral forums and protected the interests of southern countries. South Africa is one of the leading African countries in promoting the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), playing a leading role on the continent, especially in the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

South Africa was elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, is the sole African representative in the G20 and is a member of the BRICS group of emerging economies. In 2023, South Africa will assume the role of BRICS Chair. In 2025, South Africa will assume the role of G20 Chair.

Vietnam and South Africa established diplomatic relations on December 22, 1993, but the two countries have had close cooperative relations since the 1960s. The Communist Party of Vietnam and the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa have built a relationship of solidarity, friendship, and mutual support in the struggle against colonialism and for independence in each country. Vietnam has always supported the South African people's struggle against apartheid and the democratic reform process in South Africa.

As Vietnam's first and only Partner for Cooperation and Development in Africa until August 2025, South Africa has always maintained its position as Vietnam's largest trade partner and export market in Africa. Total bilateral trade turnover in 2024 reached nearly 1.8 billion USD. In addition to traditional areas of cooperation, the two sides are making efforts to exploit cooperation potential in areas such as mineral exploitation, mechanics, metallurgy, iron and steel, renewable energy, textiles, footwear, fertilizers, processed foods, and supporting industries.

At multilateral forums and international organizations, Vietnam and South Africa regularly coordinate and support each other. South Africa supports Vietnam to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 term, the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term, and the World Heritage Committee for the 2023-2027 term.

The two countries have signed many cooperation agreements in the fields of economics, trade, biodiversity management, education, crime prevention and control, as well as focusing on enhancing cooperation between localities of the two countries.

President Cyril Ramaphosa's State visit to Vietnam demonstrates Vietnam's determination to consistently implement its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification, multilateralization, proactive and active international integration, comprehensively, deeply and effectively.

The visit aims to promote the Partnership for Cooperation and Development with South Africa, affirming that Vietnam always attaches importance to the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation with South Africa, continues to strengthen political trust, promotes bilateral cooperation in practical areas to meet the country's development needs in the new situation. This is an opportunity for Vietnam and South Africa to continue to strengthen relations in traditional cooperation areas such as politics-diplomacy, economics-trade and investment, defense-security; at the same time, expand cooperation in areas that suit the interests of the two peoples, for peace, stability, and development in the two regions and in the world.

PEOPLE

Source: https://nhandan.vn/nang-tam-quan-he-viet-nam-nam-phi-di-vao-chieu-sau-thuc-chat-post917291.html