Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang told the media that the visits, which concluded on Sunday, were a new milestone in strengthening bilateral relations. It was the first time a senior Vietnamese leader has visited Mozambique in 7 years and South Africa in 4 years.

The visits demonstrated a determination to expand and deepen the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Mozambique and the Cooperation and Development Partnership between Vietnam and South Africa.

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and South African Vice President Paul Mashatile.

Ms. Hang said the visits strengthened political trust between Vietnam and Mozambique and South Africa.

The three countries pledged to continue to support each other at multilateral forums. Mozambique and South Africa pledged to be gateways for Vietnam to cooperate with the African Union and access the African market, Ms. Hang said.