Vietnam visit set to unlock trade, investment and skills exchange opportunities

Vietnam visit set to unlock trade, investment and skills exchange opportunities By Dikeledi Molobela Hanoi, Vietnam - The buzz in Hanoi is unmistakable. Streets draped in vibrant red flags, and gold stars ripple in the autumn breeze, while the hum of motorbikes mingles with the soft chatter of locals anticipating the arrival of a special guest. President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to touch down in the Vietnamese capital on Thursday for a State Visit that is as symbolic as it is strategic, one that promises to cement South Africa’s engagement with Southeast Asia. Speaking to SAnews on the ground ahead of the visit, International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola, described the trip as a pivotal moment to deepen cooperation between the two countries. “We have arrived in Hanoi for a State Visit that will be led by President Cyril Ramaphosa to meet the Prime Minister here to deepen cooperation between the two countries that have very good, friendly relations, which we now look to build on the bilateral relations towards economic trade, political cooperation and also skills exchange,” the Minister told SAnews. From the bustling Old Quarter to the imposing marble façade of the Presidential Palace, there’s an air of optimism, a sense that this visit extends beyond protocol and pageantry. “The engagements will be on various phases of exchange [between] small business, agriculture, and various other issues of trade, which obviously will incorporate issues of electric vehicles, skills exchange, commodities, mining, agriculture, and research and development,” Lamola said. The Minister highlighted that South Africa already has a footprint in Vietnam’s education and research space, with a contingent of South Africans in the Maritime University of Vietnam. “We already have a contingent of South Africans here in Vietnam in the Maritime University of Vietnam, which is deepening our skills exchange, and we look forward to cooperation between Vietnam and South African institutions of research and skills development,” he told SAnews. This, he added, reflects the growing synergy between the two nations in areas of innovation and capacity building. For South Africa, Vietnam’s rapidly expanding economy - one of the fastest growing in Southeast Asia - represents both an opportunity and a partnership of shared aspiration. “This leg of the visit is very important for also diversification of our markets into the Vietnam economy, because Vietnam is one of the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia. It remains a very important market. It s a developing country, an emerging market, almost similar to ours, and it offers an opportunity to diversify our trade and products into the Vietnam market, but it also offers good opportunities of agreements on the various areas of trade, which we can then exchange between the two countries,” Lamola said. President Ramaphosa’s visit coincides with several significant developments in Vietnam’s political landscape, including a generational transition in leadership, the conclusion of key domestic planning and reform cycles, and the country’s increasing prominence in regional and global economic affairs. It also comes as Vietnam commemorates 80 Years of Independence, a milestone that holds deep historical significance. Vietnam’s expanding consumer market presents promising opportunities for South African exporters, particularly in the context of the country’s strategic efforts to diversify trade destinations. The State Visit to Vietnam by President Ramaphosa reflects the deepening ties between the leaders of South Africa and Vietnam, underpinned by mutual respect and growing cooperation. The decision to elevate the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership marks a significant milestone, signalling shared commitment to long-term collaboration across key sectors. 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 and a working visit to Malaysia. The President is accompanied by several Ministers including the Minister of Small Business Development of South Africa, Stella N Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau; Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, among others. – SAnews.gov.za DikelediM Wed, 10/22/2025 - 16:00 232 views

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