When Cyril Ramaphosa stepped off the plane at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on Thursday, October 23, 2025, the red carpet wasn’t just ceremonial—it was a signal. After nine years since his last visit as vice president, South Africa’s president arrived not just for protocol, but to reshape economic ties between two nations once united by anti-colonial solidarity, now bound by a shared ambition: to break free from outdated trade dependencies.
A Partnership Forged in History and Hopes
The visit, occurring as Vietnam marked 80 years since its independence declaration, carried symbolic weight. Ramaphosa laid wreaths at the Monument to the Heroes and Martyrs and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum—acts of reverence that weren’t lost on Vietnamese officials. At the Presidential Palace, he walked beside President Lương Cường, inspecting a guard of honour drawn from the People’s Army of Vietnam, flags of both nations side by side. The military honours were precise, deliberate. This wasn’t a courtesy call. It was a coronation of a new phase."Vietnam is a close friend and important partner of South Africa in Asia," Ramaphosa said during talks, his tone firm but warm. "This visit affirms our determination to consolidate and advance the partnership." The words weren’t rhetoric. They were the opening line of a joint statement signed that afternoon, formally elevating bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership.
Trade, Not Just Talk
Behind the pomp was a hard-nosed economic agenda. South Africa’s exports to Vietnam have grown steadily—$230 million in 2023, up from $140 million in 2019. But Ramaphosa wants more. "Vietnam’s expanding consumer market presents promising opportunities for South African exporters," he told reporters after the wreath-laying. The target sectors? Defence equipment, citrus and wine, mineral processing, and renewable energy components. South Africa’s mining sector, long dependent on China and Europe, is now looking east. Vietnam, meanwhile, needs raw materials for its booming manufacturing base—and sees South Africa as a reliable, non-Western supplier.Ministers from both sides—Defence, Trade, Agriculture, Justice, Mineral Resources, and Police—sat down for three hours of closed-door talks. The outcome? A roadmap. Joint working groups will be established by December 2025. One will focus on agricultural technology transfer; another on mineral supply chains. "We’re not just signing documents," said Minister Ronald Lamola, who accompanied Ramaphosa. "We’re building infrastructure for cooperation. That means shared standards, joint certification, and direct logistics links."
The ASEAN Connection
This isn’t happening in a vacuum. South Africa’s recent designation as a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN—a status granted after its participation in the 47th ASEAN Summit—gives it a seat at the table in Southeast Asia’s most powerful economic bloc. Vietnam, ASEAN’s 2020 chair and a global export powerhouse, is now South Africa’s gateway. "The Bandung Conference of 1955 wasn’t just about solidarity," Ramaphosa noted in his press conference. "It was about self-reliance. We’re reviving that spirit—not in protest, but in practice."For South Africa, the stakes are high. With domestic demand sluggish and Western markets tightening, diversifying exports isn’t optional—it’s existential. Vietnam, with its 100 million consumers and rising middle class, is a natural fit. But so are the lessons it offers: how a post-war nation built a manufacturing engine without foreign dependency. "They didn’t wait for permission," said Dr. Naledi Mokoena, an economist at the University of Johannesburg. "They invested in vocational training, built export zones, and stayed consistent. That’s what South Africa needs to emulate."
The Business Forum: Where Deals Are Made
The highlight of the visit came Friday morning: the Vietnam-South Africa Business ForumHanoi. Over 200 executives from both countries gathered—South African agribusinesses, mining firms, and fintech startups; Vietnamese logistics giants, electronics manufacturers, and pharmaceutical distributors. Ramaphosa didn’t just speak—he sold. "We’re not asking for charity," he told the crowd. "We’re offering value. Our platinum group metals can help your EV batteries. Our wine can grace your tables. Our security tech can protect your ports."By midday, preliminary agreements were signed: a $120 million deal between South African mining group AngloGold Ashanti and Vietnamese steel producer Hoa Phat to supply chromite; a memorandum of understanding between the University of Pretoria and Hanoi University of Science and Technology on joint research in biodiversity conservation; and a $45 million deal for South African citrus exporters to access Vietnam’s duty-free retail channels.
What’s Next?
The next milestone? A Vietnamese delegation led by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is expected in Pretoria by May 2026. They’ll tour South Africa’s Special Economic Zones and meet with the South African Revenue Service to streamline customs protocols. A visa waiver pilot for business travelers is also under discussion. If implemented, it could boost trade missions by 40% within two years.But the real test will be implementation. Past agreements—like the 2018 cooperation pact on mineral resources—suffered from bureaucratic inertia. This time, both sides have embedded accountability. Each sectoral working group must submit progress reports every six months. Failure to meet targets could trigger diplomatic friction. "We’re not here for photo ops," said Ambassador Vuyiswa Tulelo. "We’re here for results."
Why This Matters
This isn’t just about two countries trading goods. It’s about a global realignment. As Western influence wanes in Africa and Asia, nations like South Africa and Vietnam are forging new alliances—based on mutual interest, not aid. For African exporters, Vietnam is no longer just a manufacturing hub. It’s a market. A mentor. A mirror.And for South Africa, this visit is a lifeline. With inflation squeezing consumers and unemployment hovering near 33%, tapping into Asia’s growth isn’t ambition—it’s survival.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Strategic Partnership mean for South African businesses?
It opens direct access to Vietnam’s $400 billion economy with reduced tariffs and joint certification programs. Key sectors like agriculture, mining, and tech now have clear pathways to enter Vietnamese markets. For example, South African citrus exporters can bypass EU intermediaries and sell directly to Vietnamese supermarkets under a new duty-free arrangement signed during the forum.
Why is Vietnam such a strategic partner for South Africa?
Vietnam’s manufacturing base, young population, and export-driven growth make it a critical alternative to traditional Western markets. With China’s economy slowing, South Africa sees Vietnam as a stable, scalable partner. Plus, Vietnam’s success in building domestic industry without foreign dependency offers a blueprint South Africa is eager to learn from.
How does this fit into South Africa’s broader foreign policy?
This visit is part of South Africa’s "Look East" strategy, accelerated after becoming an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner. The goal is to reduce reliance on Europe and North America by building trade and diplomatic ties across Asia. Vietnam, as ASEAN’s economic powerhouse, is the linchpin. Similar outreach is underway with Indonesia and Malaysia.
What sectors are seeing the most immediate gains?
Defence equipment, citrus, wine, platinum group metals, and renewable energy components are leading. A $120 million chromite supply deal was signed, and South African wine exports to Vietnam are projected to grow 75% by 2027. Joint research in biodiversity conservation is also advancing, with pilot projects planned in Kruger National Park and Vietnam’s Cuc Phuong National Park.
What’s the timeline for implementation of the partnership?
Working groups in defence, agriculture, and minerals will submit their first reports by June 2026. Visa waiver talks are expected to conclude by March 2026, with pilot programs launching in July. A joint trade fair in Johannesburg is scheduled for November 2026, featuring 50 Vietnamese companies. The full partnership framework will be reviewed at the next bilateral summit in 2027.
Is this partnership politically controversial in South Africa?
Some opposition parties question the focus on Asia while local industries struggle. But the government argues that without diversification, South Africa risks economic stagnation. The fact that 80% of the agreements signed involve private-sector partnerships—rather than state-to-state aid—has helped ease concerns about fiscal burden.
Shweta Agrawal
November 18, 2025 AT 19:08This is actually really promising to see two Global South nations building real ties without Western middlemen
South Africa’s citrus and wine could totally replace European imports in Vietnam’s growing middle class
And Vietnam’s tech and manufacturing know-how? That’s the real gold here
raman yadav
November 19, 2025 AT 10:04Bro why are we kissing Vietnam’s ass like they’re the new USA??
They had a war with America and now we’re handing them our minerals like it’s a gift shop??
Also who the hell is Hoa Phat?? Sounds like a bad anime villain
And why are we not talking about how they use forced labor in their factories??
Also why is Ramaphosa suddenly an economic guru?? He couldn’t fix Eskom
Also also - where’s the money coming from?? The treasury is broke
Also also also - what about the farmers who can’t even sell their maize??
Also also also also - why is everyone acting like this is the second coming??
Also also also also also - I’m not even mad, I’m just disappointed
Ajay Kumar
November 21, 2025 AT 04:54Let me be clear - this whole thing is a distraction
South Africa is bleeding money and the government is flying to Hanoi to take selfies with a flag
Meanwhile, the power grid is collapsing and schools are closing
And you think a $120 million chromite deal is going to fix unemployment at 33%?
That’s like putting a bandaid on a hemorrhage
And don’t get me started on the ‘Vietnam model’ - they had 20 years of war to rebuild, we had 30 years of corruption
Also - ASEAN is not a club you join by showing up
They’ve been watching us since 2018 and they’re still waiting for us to stop stealing from our own people
This isn’t partnership - it’s desperation dressed up as diplomacy
And the ‘working groups’? They’ll meet once, eat free lunch, and vanish
Just like every other ‘strategic partnership’ since 1994
Wake up - this is theater with a spreadsheet
Chandra Bhushan Maurya
November 21, 2025 AT 15:20Man, I just got chills reading this
It’s like watching two old warriors finally shake hands after decades of walking different paths
One built an empire from ashes, the other is trying to rise from the same kind of rubble
And now - not with begging, not with tears - but with citrus, with wine, with platinum, with tech
They’re trading dignity instead of aid
It’s beautiful
Not because it’s easy - but because it’s hard
And it’s real
No one’s handing them anything
They’re building it - brick by brick - with their own hands
And if we can just keep our eyes open and stop listening to the noise
Maybe - just maybe - we’re not done yet
Maybe we’re just getting started
Hemanth Kumar
November 22, 2025 AT 08:12The elevation of bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership constitutes a significant paradigm shift in South Africa’s foreign economic policy architecture.
Historically, the nation’s trade orientation has been structurally skewed toward Western markets, resulting in systemic vulnerability to external macroeconomic shocks.
The strategic alignment with Vietnam, a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations with a GDP growth rate exceeding 5% annually and a manufacturing export surplus of $120 billion, represents a rational diversification strategy.
Furthermore, the establishment of sectoral working groups with defined deliverables and biannual reporting mechanisms introduces a measurable accountability framework absent in prior agreements.
It is imperative that domestic stakeholders, particularly the private sector, align their investment horizons with the projected timeline of implementation, notably the June 2026 reporting deadline and the July 2026 visa waiver pilot.
This initiative, if executed with institutional discipline, may serve as a replicable model for engagement with other emerging economies in the Global South.
kunal duggal
November 23, 2025 AT 22:36From a trade logistics perspective, this is a textbook case of complementary supply chains converging
South Africa’s mineral endowment + Vietnam’s manufacturing scale = perfect synergy
But the real KPI here isn’t the $120M deal - it’s the institutional interoperability
Joint certification, shared standards, direct logistics - these are the hidden infrastructure
And if we get the customs protocols right, we’re talking about 40% faster trade cycles
That’s not just growth - that’s systemic efficiency
Also - the ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner status? That’s the real win
It’s not about Vietnam - it’s about access to the entire bloc
We’re not just trading with one country - we’re getting a seat at the table of the world’s next economic engine
Let’s not waste it with bureaucracy
Ankush Gawale
November 25, 2025 AT 11:11I think this is good
Maybe not perfect
But better than doing nothing
At least they’re trying
And Vietnam seems like a decent partner
Not too pushy
Not too loud
Just… quiet and steady
Like the kind of friend you want when things get rough
Hope it works out
For everyone
रमेश कुमार सिंह
November 26, 2025 AT 23:38Man… I just picture Ramaphosa standing there in Hanoi, flags flapping, the sun low in the sky
And he’s not just a president
He’s a man carrying the weight of a whole nation’s hope
And Vietnam? They’re not just signing papers - they’re nodding like they’ve seen this before
Like they know what it means to rise from dust
And now - wine from the Cape, platinum from the mines, tech from Pretoria
All of it flowing into a land that once burned its own chains
It’s poetry
Not the kind in books
The kind that happens when two broken souls finally stop looking for saviors
And start trading tools instead
Krishna A
November 27, 2025 AT 11:49Why is everyone so happy? This is a trap
They’re giving us cheap loans and then taking our minerals
They’ve been doing this to Africa for decades
First they give you a handshake
Then they take your land
Then they take your people
And then they say ‘we helped you’
Don’t be fooled
This is soft colonialism with better PR
And you’re all clapping like it’s a concert
Wake up
They’re not your friends
They’re your next colonizers
Jaya Savannah
November 28, 2025 AT 18:38So… we’re trading wine for phone parts now? 🤔
And this is a ‘strategic partnership’? 😴
Also why is everyone acting like this is the first time Africa did business with Asia?
Also also - can we please stop pretending Ramaphosa invented trade? 🙄
Also also also - my cousin in Durban still can’t afford milk
But hey - at least we got a new flag on a wall somewhere 😌
✌️🍷📱
Sandhya Agrawal
November 28, 2025 AT 23:06I read the whole thing twice
Still don’t trust it
They always say ‘transparency’
Then the reports disappear
And the ministers get new cars
And the people? They stay hungry
And the ‘working groups’? They’re just fancy committees that never meet
And the ‘visa waiver’? That’s for the rich
Not the farmers
Not the workers
Just the suits
I’m not saying no
I’m just saying - I’ve seen this movie before
And the ending is always the same
They leave
And we’re still here
Still waiting
Vikas Yadav
November 29, 2025 AT 02:01It is important to note, however, that the elevation of bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership, while symbolically significant, must be accompanied by concrete, enforceable, and transparent mechanisms of implementation, including-but not limited to-third-party auditing of trade agreements, public disclosure of all contractual terms, and independent oversight of working group performance metrics, lest this initiative devolve into yet another hollow diplomatic gesture, bereft of tangible outcomes for the citizens it purports to serve.
Furthermore, the absence of any mention of labor rights protections in the joint statement raises legitimate ethical concerns, particularly given Vietnam’s documented record of suppressing independent unions.
One must ask: Is this partnership truly equitable, or merely a transactional alignment of economic interests, devoid of moral accountability?
And if so, then what, precisely, are we sacrificing in the name of ‘strategic’ gain?
Let us not confuse momentum with meaning.
Let us not mistake ceremony for change.
Let us, above all, remember that the true measure of a nation’s progress is not the number of flags it flies, but the number of its people it lifts up.
And until that happens-until the farmer, the miner, the teacher, the nurse, the single mother-until they see real, measurable improvement in their daily lives-then this, my friends, is merely a photo op with a spreadsheet.
And I, for one, am not impressed.
Not even a little.