HCMC – Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong on October 23 held talks with South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, who is on a two-day state visit to Vietnam from October 23 to 24.
This marks the first visit to Vietnam by a South African head of state in nearly two decades, underscoring both countries’ commitment to advancing bilateral relations in a more substantive and effective manner.
Upon arrival in Hanoi, President Ramaphosa laid wreaths at the Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh and the Monument to Heroic Martyrs on Bac Son Street. Later in the afternoon, President Luong Cuong presided over the state-level welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace, attended by senior Vietnamese leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son and several cabinet ministers.
Vietnam and South Africa established diplomatic ties on December 22, 1993, building on solidarity between the Communist Party of Vietnam and South Africa’s African National Congress since the 1960s.
Over the past three decades, bilateral cooperation has expanded across various areas, including political dialogue, trade, and people-to-people exchanges. South Africa was Vietnam’s first partner in Africa to establish a partnership for cooperation and development, equivalent to a comprehensive partnership.
Economic cooperation has been a cornerstone of bilateral ties, with South Africa currently serving as Vietnam’s leading trade partner and export market in Africa.
Two-way trade rose from US$192 million in 2007 to US$1.72 billion in 2024.
