Hanoi: President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for a renewed push to strengthen trade and investment ties between South Africa and Vietnam, saying deeper cooperation between the two countries is key to building resilient economies and advancing inclusive growth. The President made the remarks during official talks with Vietnamese President Luong Cu?ng at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on Thursday, where the two leaders led high-level delegations in discussions aimed at taking the relationship between the two countries to new heights.
According to South African Government News Agency, considering recent global trade tensions, including the imposition of tariffs by major economies, President Ramaphosa underscored that it is increasingly important for countries like South Africa to strengthen South-South trade and economic cooperation. “Enhancing bilateral trade ties and expanding market access between South Africa and Vietnam is both a strategic imperative and a practical response to shifting global dynamics. Our partnership can help build more resilient and diversified economies and unlock new opportunities for inclusive growth,” the President said.
The President congratulated the Vietnamese people on the country’s 80th anniversary of independence, describing it as “a remarkable milestone that demonstrates the resilience, unity and progress of the Vietnamese people.” He noted that the participation of Ministers from Defence, Trade, Agriculture, Justice, Mineral Resources, and Police from both countries underscored the countries’ shared commitment to deepening cooperation across a wide range of strategic sectors.
President Ramaphosa welcomed Vietnam’s proposal to elevate bilateral relations from a Comprehensive Partnership to a Strategic Partnership, a move he said would “unlock new opportunities for structured collaboration, enhance institutional engagement, and position [the] partnership to respond more effectively to global and regional challenges.” He said the proposal also reflected the growing importance of Southeast Asia to South Africa and the African continent, and the importance of Africa for Vietnam’s growing global role.
The talks come as South Africa chairs the Group of 20 (G20), with President Ramaphosa highlighting Vietnam’s invitation to the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg as an opportunity to deepen South-South cooperation and promote inclusive multilateralism. “Vietnam’s presence will enrich the dialogue and reinforce the importance of inclusive multilateralism and South-South cooperation in shaping a more equitable global order. As the Incoming Chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), South Africa is working to strengthen regional integration and economic development across the continent,” he said.
The President also encouraged Vietnamese businesses to take advantage of opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area, which offers access to a market of over 1.4 billion people. “South Africa, as a gateway to the continent, is well positioned to serve as a strategic base for Vietnamese investment and trade expansion into Africa,” he said.
In closing, the President congratulated Vietnam for hosting the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime, describing it as “a historic moment, reflecting the collective determination of the countries of the world to manage rapid technological change in a manner that prevents harm and advances the cause of human development.” The President said South Africa is proud to participate in this historic occasion and the Convention will be signed on his behalf by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development. “As our two nations, let us use this moment to reaffirm our shared values, strengthen our strategic alignment and build a partnership that contributes meaningfully to peace, prosperity and sustainable development,” Ramaphosa said.