Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Government of South Africa

Hanoi, Vietnam – The warmth of friendship and the promise of deeper cooperation marked the State Banquet held in honour of President Cyril Ramaphosa and his delegation in Hanoi on Thursday evening, bringing to a close a day that symbolised a new chapter in South Africa–Vietnam relations. 

Hosted by President Lương Cường at the International Convention Centre, the banquet followed a day of official engagements that included a solemn visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a tête-à-tête between the two leaders, and bilateral talks aimed at elevating relations between the two countries to a strategic partnership.

President Ramaphosa is on a three-nation visit to the Southeast Asia region, which kicked off in Indonesia, followed by the State Visit to Vietnam. It will conclude with a working visit to Malaysia. 

READ | President Ramaphosa pushes for elevated South Africa–Vietnam strategic partnership

In his toast remarks at Thursday’s State Banquet, President Ramaphosa expressed profound appreciation for the hospitality extended by the government and people of Vietnam, describing the visit as a moment of renewal between two nations bound by shared ideals of freedom, justice, and self-determination.

“It is indeed a great honour to be here in Hanoi and to receive the generous hospitality extended by you, Your Excellency, the government and the people of Vietnam. Once again, we extend, as South Africans, our warmest congratulations to the government and the people of Vietnam on your successful celebration of your 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and declaration of your independence,” President Ramaphosa said.

Reflecting on the morning’s visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the President said South Africa was honoured to pay tribute to Vietnam’s revered leader, whom he described as a symbol of courage and self-determination.

“You honoured us today by taking us to the mausoleum to pay our respects to your honoured leader, Ho Chi Minh, whom we all deeply respect and recognise as the father of your nation. Thank you very much for your remarks today, where you remembered and honoured the father of our nation, Nelson Mandela, as well,” President Ramaphosa said. 

President Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, peace and security, and multilateral engagement, noting that both countries had complementary strengths that could be harnessed for shared prosperity.

“Our invitation to Vietnam to participate in the G20 summit reflects the importance we attach to Vietnam’s voice in shaping global economic governance and sustainable development,” he said, adding that South Africa looked forward to welcoming Vietnam’s Prime Minister as a special guest at the upcoming summit.

President Lương Cường, in his toast, said he believed President Ramaphosa’s visit would “open a new, brighter chapter” in the relations between the two nations, built on mutual respect and shared aspirations.

“I also hope that in this new era of development for the Vietnamese nation, we will continue to receive the precious support and cooperation of our sincere friend and trusted partner – South Africa. For its part, Vietnam always stands ready to support South Africa on its path towards development and prosperity,” President Lương Cường said. 

The evening concluded with a cultural performance celebrating Vietnam’s rich heritage, with the performing artists also singing some famous South African tunes, marking a fitting close to a day defined by camaraderie, shared history, and a mutual commitment to a prosperous future.

As the two Presidents raised their glasses, the sentiment was clear: the partnership between South Africa and Vietnam is not only rooted in history but also poised to grow stronger in the years ahead. – SAnews.gov.za 

Source: Government of South Africa

By Dikeledi Molobela

Hanoi, Vietnam – President Cyril Ramaphosa says the State Visit to Vietnam has laid a strong foundation for a more structured and forward-looking partnership, one that delivers tangible benefits for the people, and contributes meaningfully to regional and global development.

“Together, we reaffirm our shared commitment to peace, prosperity and inclusive multilateralism,” he said. 

The President was speaking during a media briefing in Hanoi on Thursday, following official talks with President Luong Cuong as part of his State Visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

“It is a great honour to be here in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. I wish to begin by expressing my sincere appreciation to President Lương Cường, the Government and the people of Vietnam for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to me and my delegation,” President Ramaphosa said.

He said the spirit of friendship and solidarity experienced during the visit is deeply valued and reflects the strength of the two countries’ bilateral relationship.

The visit, he added, takes place at a profoundly symbolic moment as Vietnam commemorates 80 years of independence, a milestone that speaks to the country’s enduring resilience and remarkable progress.

READ | President Ramaphosa pushes for elevated South Africa–Vietnam strategic partnership

“It is also a moment to reflect on the historic ties between South Africa and Vietnam, rooted in shared struggles for liberation, sovereignty and justice,” the President said.

The President reflected that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1993, the partnership between the two countries has grown steadily from political solidarity to multifaceted cooperation in trade, investment, science and technology, education and multilateral engagement.

“Today, we take a decisive step forward with the commencement of a process to elevate our bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership. This reflects our shared commitment to deepening cooperation across a range of sectors,” he said.

These sectors include defence, agriculture, justice and constitutional development, mineral and petroleum resources, and biodiversity conservation.

President Ramaphosa said South Africa sees Vietnam as a key partner in its export diversification strategy and is encouraged by the steady growth in trade and investment between the two countries.

“This visit forms part of a broader effort to strengthen South Africa’s engagement with Southeast Asia, a region of growing strategic importance,” he said.

He noted that South Africa’s participation in the 47th ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] Summit as Guest of the Chair, and its recent recognition as a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN, “reflects [the] commitment to fostering inter-regional cooperation between Africa and Asia”.

“We are building on the legacy of the 1955 Bandung Conference, which laid the foundation for solidarity between our continents,” President Ramaphosa said.

“Vietnam plays a central role in this regional partnership, not only as a longstanding friend of South Africa, but also as a key member of ASEAN,” he said. 

President Ramaphosa is on a three-nation visit to the Southeast Asia region, which kicked off in Indonesia, followed by the State Visit to Vietnam. It will conclude with a working visit to Malaysia. – SAnews.gov.za 

Source: Government of South Africa

By Dikeledi Molobela

Hanoi, Vietnam – 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 Lương Cường 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.

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. – SAnews.gov.za