Viet Nam, South Africa to elevate ties to strategic partnership

The Prime Minister will visit Kuwait and Algeria, and attend the G20 Summit in South Africa from November 16-24, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.  

In an interview with the VGP, South Africa's Ambassador to Viet Nam Vuyiswa Tulelo noted that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's State visit to Viet Nam last month was a major milestone, recognizing the significance of the bilateral ties since the last state visit between the two nations 20 years ago.

According to the diplomat, the Vietnamese Prime Minister's visit to South Africa and attendance at the G20 Summit demonstrates that Viet Nam–South Africa relations are growing stronger and more vibrant.

On the sidelines of the G20 Summit, leaders of the two countries will sign an agreement to upgrade the bilateral relationship from a comprehensive partnership into a strategic partnership, indicating the strength and the significance of the ties.

Prospects for cooperation in trade, investment, and renewable energy

Ambassador Tulelo stressed that since beginning her term in Viet Nam in 2022, bilateral relations have made substantial progress, especially following high-level visits and celebrations of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

According to the Ambassador, senior leaders of both countries agree that their strong political ties should be further advanced via economic, trade, and investment cooperation. Viet Nam plays a key role in Southeast Asia and ASEAN, while South Africa serves as a gateway to the African market through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The two economies are not competitors but collaborators.

South Africa exports raw materials and agricultural products to Viet Nam, while importing components, electronics, and technology products from the Southeast Asian nation. One future cooperation priority is technology transfer and skills development, enabling businesses and citizens of both countries to benefit.

The Ambassador also praised Viet Nam's progress in the electric vehicle industry, particularly the success of VinFast.

She suggested that the two countries could form a shared value chain in this sector. Viet Nam manufactures electric vehicles, while South Africa supplies strategic minerals for battery production. This would represent a breakthrough cooperation model, reflecting South–South collaboration based on each country's complementary strengths.

Ambassador Tulelo shared that on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, leaders will focus on discussing concrete cooperation pathways, not only at the policy level but through practical programs and projects, including logistics, free trade cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges.

Viet Nam's responsible contribution to global issues

Regarding South Africa's G20 Chairmanship, under the theme "Unity, Equality, and Sustainable Development," the Ambassador underlined that Viet Nam and South Africa have long shared common values of justice, peace, and representing the voices of developing countries.

Tulelo said that via the G20 Chairmanship, South Africa hopes to bring the voice of the under-represented and the marginalized groups to the global forums. In this effort, Viet Nam is seen as an important partner thanks to its remarkable achievements in economic development, national reconstruction, and responsible engagement in international affairs.

Viet Nam's participation in the G20 will help reinforce the collective voice of developing economies and promote the building of a fairer, more inclusive, and more democratic global order.

South Africa expects that Viet Nam will continue to play the role of ally in pushing for global institutional reform, ensuring balanced benefits for all nations, said the Ambassador./.