President Ramaphosa's state visit aims to bolster Africa trade ties, while UN Chief Guterres arrives to launch a historic UN Convention on Cybercrime in Hanoi
CaliToday (21/10/2025): Vietnam is preparing for a high-stakes week of international diplomacy, solidifying its role as a key partner in both bilateral and multilateral arenas. The nation is set to host state visits from South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, followed immediately by an official visit from United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
According to Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two visits will underscore the breadth of the country's foreign policy, from strengthening historic alliances to taking a leading role in modern global governance.
Deepening the "Partnership for Cooperation" with South Africa
At the invitation of Vietnamese President Luong Cuong, South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa will conduct a formal state visit from October 23-24.
This visit is built on a foundation of deep historical solidarity. While formal diplomatic relations were established on December 22, 1993, Vietnam's ties with South Africa's African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party date back much further. Vietnam was a staunch supporter of the South African people's struggle against the Apartheid regime and backed its subsequent democratic reforms.
Today, that historical support has evolved into a robust economic partnership. South Africa stands as Vietnam's largest trading partner and largest export market on the African continent. This crucial relationship was reflected in 2024, when bilateral trade turnover reached nearly $1.8 billion.
The investment relationship, while modest, shows potential for growth. As of July 2025, South Africa had 20 active investment projects in Vietnam totaling $0.88 million. Conversely, Vietnam has four projects in South Africa valued at $8.86 million, making it Vietnam's 45th largest outbound investment destination.
Beyond economics, a ministry spokesperson noted that the two nations "regularly coordinate and provide mutual support at international organizations and multilateral forums."
A "Milestone" in Multilateralism: The UN Cybercrime Convention
Immediately following President Ramaphosa's visit, UN Secretary-General António Guterres will arrive in Hanoi for an official visit from October 24-25, also at the invitation of President Luong Cuong.
The Secretary-General's visit is centered on a landmark event: He will attend the Opening for Signature Ceremony of the United Nations Convention on Countering Cybercrime.
Vietnam's selection as the host for this high-level conference, set to run from October 25-26, is a significant diplomatic achievement. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called the event an "important international milestone, marking a high point in the history of Vietnam's multilateral diplomacy and celebrating the 47-year partnership between Vietnam and the United Nations."
Hosting the launch of a major UN convention firmly positions Vietnam as a proactive and trusted member of the international community, willing to take the lead on addressing complex, non-traditional security challenges.
The two-day conference is a major undertaking, co-organized by the Vietnamese government and the UN Secretariat. The ambitious agenda includes:
An opening and closing plenary session.
The official Opening for Signature ceremony.
Four high-level discussion sessions.
Four thematic roundtable exchanges.
A technology exhibition showcasing cyber-defense and digital solutions.
Both President Luong Cuong and Secretary-General António Guterres are scheduled to deliver keynote addresses at the opening ceremony on October 25, setting the tone for the convention's global rollout.