South African President Cyril Ramaphosa conducted a two-day state visit to Vietnam on October 23-24, 2025, marking the first visit by a South African head of state to Vietnam in nearly 20 years according to multiple sources.</span

VOV5 English Service

Africanews

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa conducted a two-day state visit to Vietnam on October 23-24, 2025, marking the first visit by a South African head of state to Vietnam in nearly 20 years according to multiple sources.

The two nations agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship from a comprehensive partnership to a strategic partnership in 2025, with both leaders describing this upgrade as a decisive step toward deeper cooperation.</span

Vietnam News Agency

The two nations agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship from a comprehensive partnership to a strategic partnership in 2025, with both leaders describing this upgrade as a decisive step toward deeper cooperation.

Bilateral trade between Vietnam and South Africa has grown significantly from $192 million in 2007 to $1.72 billion in 2024, with South Africa serving as Vietnam's largest trade partner in Africa according to government statistics.</span

Bilateral trade between Vietnam and South Africa has grown significantly from $192 million in 2007 to $1.72 billion in 2024, with South Africa serving as Vietnam's largest trade partner in Africa according to government statistics.

President Ramaphosa's delegation included ministers from defense, trade, agriculture, justice, mineral resources and police, demonstrating both countries' commitment to expanding cooperation across multiple strategic sectors.</span

Eurasia Review

South African Government

President Ramaphosa's delegation included ministers from defense, trade, agriculture, justice, mineral resources and police, demonstrating both countries' commitment to expanding cooperation across multiple strategic sectors.

Vietnam invited South Africa to support ASEAN's stance on the East Sea issue while South Africa affirmed its readiness to support Vietnam's candidacies in UN bodies, reflecting their mutual support in multilateral forums.</span

Vietnam invited South Africa to support ASEAN's stance on the East Sea issue while South Africa affirmed its readiness to support Vietnam's candidacies in UN bodies, reflecting their mutual support in multilateral forums.

Both leaders emphasized cooperation in key sectors including defense, energy, mining, agriculture, education and green economy, while also promoting people-to-people exchanges through cultural, sports and tourism activities.</span

Both leaders emphasized cooperation in key sectors including defense, energy, mining, agriculture, education and green economy, while also promoting people-to-people exchanges through cultural, sports and tourism activities.

South Africa, Vietnam Upgrade to Strategic Partnership

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South Africa, Vietnam Upgrade to Strategic Partnership

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