Vietnam, South Africa forge new growth path

(VOVWORLD) - Vietnam and South Africa have complementary strengths and vast potential for cooperation in green transition and digital transformation, renewable energy, creative economy, media, and climate action, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said at Thursday’s meeting in Hanoi with South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa.

PM Pham Minh Chinh and South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, Hanoi, October 24, 2025.

Mr. Chinh called on South Africa to support early negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).

He thanked the South African leader for inviting Vietnam to the G20 Summit 2025, affirming Vietnam’s readiness to contribute to the event, particularly in poverty reduction, food security, sustainable development, and advancing global governance reforms.

President Ramaphosa said that Vietnam is a trusted partner of South Africa in Asia. He hailed Vietnam’s effective development model and its open foreign policy and expressed his desire to strengthen business connection in mining, manufacturing, agriculture, electric vehicles, high-quality workforce training, and maritime industry.