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.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right) meets with South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa in Hanoi on October 23.

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 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.

PM Pham Minh Chinh, spouse begin official visit to Algeria

This is the first visit to Algeria by a Vietnamese PM in 10 years, since 2015. PM Sifi Ghrieb personally greeted and presented flowers to PM Chinh, his spouse, and the Vietnamese delegation at the foot of the aircraft stairs.

 

Vietnam, Kuwait upgrade ties to strategic partnership

The PMs agreed to elevate their countries' relations to the Strategic Partnership while outlining major orientations to advance Vietnam – Kuwait relations in a stronger, more comprehensive, and sustainable manner. They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of shared concern.

 

Kuwaiti Prime Minister hosts welcome ceremony for Vietnamese counterpart

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's trip marks the first visit by a Vietnamese government leader to Kuwait in 16 years, as the two countries prepare to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2026.

 

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh begins official visit to Kuwait

Kuwait is the first stop on PM Prime Minister Chinh’s working trip to three countries, including Algeria and South Africa. This is the first visit by a Vietnamese Prime Minister to Kuwait in 16 years, and timed a head of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries (January 10) next year.

 

PM Pham Minh Chinh departs for working trip to Kuwait, Algeria, South Africa

The trip, from November 16 – 24, is made at the invitations of PM Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al Sabah of Kuwait, PM Sifi Ghrieb of Algeria, and President of South Africa and G20 Chair for 2025 Cyril Ramaphosa.

 

Party chief receives Head of Communist Party of China Central Committee's Publicity Department

Vietnam is determined to work with China to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of a Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, marking a new strategic phase of the relationship that is increasingly comprehensive, profound, and sustainable, General Secretary Lam said.