President Luong Cuong and his South African counterpart Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa at the state welcome ceremony (Photo: Viet Cuong/VOV)

This is the first visit to Vietnam by a South African head of state in nearly 20 years, marking a historic milestone that is expected to further advance the Vietnam–South Africa relationship in a deeper and more substantive manner.

After the national anthems of both nations were played, the two leaders reviewed the Guard of Honor of the Vietnam People’s Army.

 

President Luong Cuong and President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa inspect the Honor Guard of the Vietnam People's Army. Photo: Viet Cuong/VOV

Vietnam and South Africa officially established diplomatic relations on December 22, 1993, though their cooperation dates back to the 1960s. Over the past three decades, ties have grown steadily across Party, State, and people-to-people channels. South Africa was the first African country to forge a “Partnership for Cooperation and Development” with Vietnam, equivalent to a comprehensive partnership.

Following the welcome ceremony, President Luong Cuong and his South African counterpart held a private meeting and then official talks to assess bilateral cooperation outcomes and discuss orientations for the coming period.