South Africa affirms strategic partnership with Vietnam

South African Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenneth Morolong has affirmed the importance of Vietnam in South Africa’s foreign policy during a ceremony marking Vietnam’s 81st National Day in Pretoria. Morolong emphasized that the relationship between the two nations is expected to grow “from strength to strength,” particularly as they navigate global uncertainty through cooperation in multilateral forums.

Vietnam’s engagement with BRICS via the Partner Country model is noted as a point of strategic convergence with South Africa, fostering South-South cooperation. Vietnamese Ambassador Tran Trong Kien highlighted the growing economic ties, noting that South Africa has become a leading African trading partner for Vietnam. Potential areas for future collaboration include agriculture, food security, digital transformation, energy, and green growth.

The bilateral relationship, which established formal diplomatic ties in 1993, was recently elevated to a Strategic Partnership. This follows high-level engagements, including a state visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa.