Viet Nam and South Africa are looking to tap greater potential in trade and investment, with their complementary strengths opening opportunities in manufacturing, technology, energy, agriculture and mineral processing.

Foreign ambassadors in Viet Nam have praised the country's diplomacy as resilient, proactive and increasingly influential, describing it as a key driver of national development and a constructive force in regional and global affairs.

The Viet Nam National Chemical Group (Vinachem) has strengthened trade and investment ties with South Africa through a business promotion mission aimed at expanding international cooperation and diversifying supply chains.

The event introduced international guests to a broad spectrum of Vietnamese culinary traditions beyond well-known dishes such as pho and fried spring rolls, highlighting regional flavours from across the country.

High-ranking Vietnamese leaders on April 27 extended congratulatory messages to leaders of Togo, South Africa, and Sierra Leone on the occasion of their national celebrations, reaffirming Viet Nam’s commitment to strengthening friendship and cooperation.

Leaders of Russia, Brunei, Japan, Venezuela, South Africa, Kazakhstan, Angola, Sweden and Switzerland and political parties have sent congratulatory messages and letters to Party General Secretary To Lam on his election as State President, Le Minh Hung on his election as Prime Minister and Tran Thanh Man on his election as National Assembly Chairman.

The Vietnamese community in South Africa has expressed confidence that the 16th National Assembly (NA) will lead the homeland towards comprehensive development.

The 2025 G20 Summit, themed “Unity, Equality and Sustainable Development,” took place in Johannesburg, the financial hub of South Africa and a major global stock market centre. This is the second consecutive year Viet Nam has been invited to the Summit of the world’s 20 leading economies—an affirmation of the country’s growing prestige, position and role..

South African media spotlighted economic and trade ties as a centerpiece of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit to the country for the G20 Summit and bilateral engagements from November 21-24, pointing out efforts to rebalance trade ties with Viet Nam and its role within the grouping through proposals on inclusive growth, green transition and strategic minerals.

Fresh off their trip to Africa and the Middle East, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse, together with a high-level Vietnamese delegation, laid new strategic ground for diversifying partnerships and expanding development space for Vietnamese businesses and localities. The trip included official visits to Kuwait and Algeria, and engagement in the G20 Summit and bilateral activities in South Africa, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his spouse Le Thi Bich Tran, and a high-level Vietnamese delegation returned to Ha Noi at noon on November 24, concluding their official visits to Kuwait and Algeria, and their trip to attend the G20 Summit and conduct bilateral activities in South Africa.

Within the framework of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s trip to attend the G20 Summit and conduct bilateral activities in South Africa from November 21–23, his spouse, Le Thi Bich Tran, participated in various meaningful social and cultural activities.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Canadian PM Mark Carney and President of the European Commission (EC) Ursula von der Leyen on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on November 22 afternoon (local time) to discuss directions for strengthening connectivity and promoting trade and investment cooperation between member countries of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the European Union (EU).

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on November 22 held a series of meetings with leaders of foreign countries and international organisations to discuss bilateral cooperation and exchange views on issues of common concern, as part of his trip to South Africa for the G20 Summit and related activities.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had separate meetings on the morning of November 22 (local time) with the President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) and the Prime Minister of India and Spain to discuss ways to advance bilateral cooperation and exchange views on international issues of shared concern.

Viet Nam and South Africa have issued a Joint Statement on the upgrade of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's trip to South Africa to attend the G20 Summit and conduct a number of bilateral activities from November 21-23.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called on the business communities of Viet Nam and South Africa to enhance investment, solidarity, cooperation, and mutual support to secure shared successes, development, and happiness.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his spouse, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation arrived at O.R. Tambo Airport in Johannesburg on November 21 morning, starting their participation in the G20 Summit and a series of bilateral activities in South Africa.

South Africa hopes and needs Viet Nam to be part of the G20 and also wants the world to understand that solidarity is a deliberate choice, South African Ambassador to Viet Nam Vuyiswa Tulelo has stated.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s bilateral activities within his trip to South Africa to attend G20 Summit from November 21–24 are expected to advance the Viet Nam–South Africa Partnership for Cooperation and Development.