African countries strengthen extensive partnerships through visits by the country's head of state, according to the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong's Diplomatic Milestones in August 2025
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong embarked on state visits to Egypt and Angola in August 2025, marking a significant phase in Vietnam's foreign policy approach in the new era. These visits resulted in substantial diplomatic and cooperative milestones, reflecting Vietnam's commitment to diversifying markets and strategic partners, particularly in Africa.
Highlights in Angola
President Luong Cuong's visit to Angola was the highest-level Vietnamese delegation in nearly two decades. Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the visit created a turning point in bilateral ties, fostering new momentum for comprehensive cooperation across sectors.
Multiple cooperation agreements were signed, and meetings involved leaders, ministries, and businesses to set priorities and legal frameworks for future collaboration. President Luong Cuong delivered a policy address at the Angolan National Assembly and participated in ceremonies marking the Vietnam-Angola friendship milestone.
The partnership emphasizes strong historical solidarity rooted in joint anti-colonial struggles and mutual national development efforts. Angola, currently chairing the African Union, is recognized as a key regional player, and this visit signals Vietnam's intention to deepen ties with important African partners.
Highlights in Egypt
In Egypt, President Luong Cuong's visit commemorated long-standing ties dating back to 1963, when Vietnam and Egypt established diplomatic relations anchored in mutual support during historic liberation struggles. Egypt was the first North African country to recognize Vietnam as a full market economy and is Vietnam's largest trading partner in the region.
Economic and trade cooperation continues to deepen, with bilateral trade reaching approximately USD 541.36 million in 2024. Cooperation also spans education, training, and subnational collaborations. Egypt hosts the Arab League headquarters, marking its strategic regional importance.
The visit was the first by a senior Vietnamese leader to Egypt in seven years, underscoring Vietnam's renewed focus on deepening partnerships with key African and Middle Eastern countries.
Reflecting Vietnam's Foreign Policy in the New Era
These visits encapsulate Vietnam's commitment to diversifying markets and strategic partners, particularly in Africa. They send a strategic message of Vietnam's willingness to expand comprehensive cooperation beyond Asia to Africa and the Middle East, engaging with influential regional actors like Egypt (Arab League host) and Angola (African Union Chair).
Vietnam demonstrates a foreign policy that addresses global shifts and challenges by fostering multisectoral, multilateral partnerships, emphasizing solidarity, economic development, and political collaboration. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son noted the visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy, signaling readiness to deepen and broaden relations with African nations amid epochal global transitions.
Tangible Results and Future Collaboration
The visits produced tangible and meaningful results, particularly in market and partner diversification in support of Vietnam’s broader development goals. Vietnam and Egypt officially elevated their ties to a comprehensive partnership, marking Vietnam’s first such partnership with an African nation.
A series of important cooperation documents were signed between Vietnam and both Egypt and Angola in various fields, including economy, trade, investment, defence and security, peacekeeping, judiciary and penal transfers, prosecution, television broadcasting, agriculture, and locality-to-locality cooperation.
Deputy PM Sơn recommended efforts to advance the signing of an FTA or bilateral trade agreement with Egypt in the near future. Egypt and Angola hold important roles in their respective regions - Egypt as the host of the Arab League headquarters and Angola as the current Chair of the African Union.
Angola showed support for Vietnam's firms to participate in major oil and gas projects and provide technical services in this field. Egypt expressed its interest in developing Halal industry cooperation with Vietnam. Both Egypt and Angola agreed to upgrade their bilateral trade volume with Vietnam to US$1 billion.
President Cuong conducted a robust and productive program in both countries, including important talks with leaders and attending a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Angola diplomatic relations. President Cuong also delivered key policy addresses at the Arab League and during a special plenary session of the Angolan National Assembly.
The visits aimed to advance ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola and deliver a strategic message about Vietnam's commitment to deepening relations with African nations. Both Egypt and Angola agreed to upgrade their bilateral trade volume with Vietnam to US$1 billion.
- Vietnamese President Luong Cuong's visits to Egypt and Angola in August 2025 were part of a significant shift in Vietnam's foreign policy in the new era, aiming to diversify markets and strategic partners, particularly in Africa.
- In Angola, the highest-level Vietnamese delegation in nearly two decades helped foster a new momentum for comprehensive cooperation across various sectors, including economy, trade, and education.
- Multiple cooperation agreements were signed in Angola, including those in defense, security, judiciary, and penal transfers, indicative of Vietnam's long-term commitment to strengthening its ties.
- Egypt, Vietnam’s largest trading partner in North Africa, and Angola, currently chairing the African Union, play important roles in their respective regions, making them strategic partners for Vietnam.
- In Egypt, discussions covered economic and trade cooperation, education, and subnational collaborations, with bilateral trade reaching approximately USD 541.36 million in 2024.
- Vietnam demonstrated its willingness to expand its horizons beyond Asia, engaging with influential regional actors like Egypt and Angola, to foster multisectoral, multilateral partnerships in the realm of politics, culture, health, energy, and AI, among others.
- As a result of the visits, Vietnam and Egypt officially elevated their ties to a comprehensive partnership, marking Vietnam’s first such partnership with an African nation, and both countries agreed to increase their bilateral trade volume to US$1 billion.
