Vietnam and South Africa consider strengthening parliamentary cooperation

Vietnam and South Africa are deepening their bilateral ties across multiple sectors, with a focus on economic, trade, investment, defense, and security relations. This was evident during the recent visit of National Assembly Vice Chairman Vũ Hòng Thanh to South Africa, where he met with high-level officials and representatives of various organizations.

**Economic and Trade Relations**

Both countries are working towards finalizing a list of 50 potential export items for economic cooperation, reflecting a commitment to deepen trade ties. Key sectors identified for investment and cooperation include electric vehicles, mineral processing, electronic components, industrial machinery, oil and gas, renewable energy, software, and furniture. Efforts are being made to simplify visa procedures to boost tourism and facilitate business exchanges, along with enhanced market information sharing, investment incentives, and promotional activities such as investment forums and seminars.

**Investment**

Vietnam and South Africa are actively promoting investment in strategic sectors to leverage each other's strengths and resources. They are working to make it easier for businesses from both countries to invest, particularly in industries aligned with future economic trends and sustainable development.

**Defense and Security**

There are ongoing bilateral mechanisms such as the Việt Nam–South Africa Defence Policy Dialogue, which demonstrate a sustained commitment to enhance cooperation in defense and security. Both nations have agreed to sign agreements and legal frameworks to boost defense-security cooperation, reflecting mutual interest in regional and international stability.

**Parliamentary Cooperation**

Elevating parliamentary cooperation is seen as a key pillar in the bilateral relationship. The countries are fostering high-level visits, exchanges among lawmakers, and coordination in multilateral parliamentary forums. Negotiations for a Memorandum of Understanding on legislative cooperation are underway to formalize and deepen these ties further.

**Multilateral Cooperation**

Vietnam and South Africa reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism, respect for international law, and South-South cooperation. They expressed mutual support in multilateral forums, including backing Vietnam’s candidacies to international organizations and promoting cooperative agendas within the African Union and Southern African Development Community.

**Goals and Future Directions**

Both sides aim to boost bilateral trade through finalizing export lists and facilitating business environments, focusing on sectors such as energy, mining, renewable resources, infrastructure, and digital economy. They also seek to formalize and enhance defense-security partnerships via new agreements and ongoing dialogues to tackle shared challenges and promote peace and stability.

Expanding collaboration in education, training, tourism, and cultural exchanges is prioritized to strengthen mutual understanding and long-term partnership. Both countries are exploring partnerships in sustainable use of natural resources, energy, infrastructure development, and response to climate change challenges.

**High-Level Political and Diplomatic Engagement**

The leadership has expressed desires for official visits and strengthened political dialogue to consolidate the comprehensive cooperation framework and elevate bilateral relations to a new level. A letter from Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính thanked Ramaphosa for inviting him to the G20 Summit in South Africa in 2025 and invited South African leaders to visit Việt Nam at a convenient time.

Vietnam values its partnership for cooperation and development with South Africa and considers the country one of its top partners in the region. Senior South African leaders highly valued Thanh's trip and expressed their admiration for Việt Nam's socio-economic achievements.

In summary, Vietnam and South Africa pursue a comprehensive, multi-sectoral partnership focused on boosting economic, trade, investment ties, and reinforcing defense and security cooperation. The relationship is founded on shared historical bonds and aims for deeper collaboration aligned with regional and global agendas. The two sides agreed to continue effectively implementing bilateral cooperation mechanisms such as the Intergovernmental Partnership Forum, the Joint Trade Committee, and the Việt Nam-South Africa Defence Policy Dialogue.

The countries are working together to finalize a list of 50 potential export items for economic cooperation, with key sectors including electric vehicles, renewable energy, software, and others.
There are ongoing efforts to simplify visa procedures for tourism and business exchanges, along with enhanced market information sharing and promotional activities.
Vietnam and South Africa are committed to promoting investment in strategic sectors, making it easier for businesses from both countries to invest, particularly in future-oriented and sustainable development industries.
The defense and security cooperation between the nations is being boosted through bilateral mechanisms like the Việt Nam–South Africa Defence Policy Dialogue, and they are working on agreeing to sign agreements to enhance this partnership.
Elevating parliamentary cooperation is considered a key element in the bilateral relationship, with negotiations for a Memorandum of Understanding on legislative cooperation taking place.
Both Vietnam and South Africa reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism, respect for international law, and South-South cooperation, expressing mutual support in multilateral forums.
The goals for the bilateral partnership include boosting trade, formalizing and enhancing defense-security partnerships, and expanding collaboration in education, training, tourism, and cultural exchanges.
The leadership of both countries desires high-level political and diplomatic engagement to consolidate the comprehensive cooperation framework and elevate bilateral relations, with possible official visits and strengthened political dialogue in the future.