Vietnam’s remarkable achievements provide valuable lessons that resonate strongly with many countries: Ambassador

South African Ambassador to Vietnam Vuyiswa Tulelo. (Photo: VNA)

That is the opinion of South African Ambassador to Vietnam Vuyiswa Tulelo when giving an interview to The World and Vietnam Report on the occasion of the 33rd National Diplomatic Conference (1-7/8).

Your Excellency, could you please share your expectations for the 33rd National Diplomatic Conference of Vietnam?

I have great expectations for the 33^rd National Diplomatic Conference of Vietnam, following thesuccessful and smooth transitions that have taken place this year after the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the 16th National Assembly elections, supporting the new growth model for the 2026-2031 term.

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The changes in Vietnam’s trajectory since the 32^nd Conference of 2023, could be the means through which Vietnam outlines its programme to become a regional and world example of a nation that has enabled its status to move from lower middle income to upper middle income in the short space of 17 years.

How do you assess the role of Vietnam's diplomacy in enhancing the country's image, standing and influence on the international stage? In your opinion, what have been the most notable contributions of Vietnam's diplomacy to maintaining peace, stability and promoting cooperation in the region and around the world?

Vietnam’s approach to diplomacy is characterised by non-alignment , active engagement with major powers and adaptability in international dealings, which has continued to positively increase its international image.

Vietnam’s robust economic growth, active regional diplomacy, and increasing global influence make it a key interlocutor in the ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific.

Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in poverty reduction, industrial growth, and agricultural transformation provide valuable lessons that resonate strongly with many developing countries.

Vietnam has had an increasing role in multilateral institutions including as an observer country at the African Union, whilst also participating in UN peacekeeping Missions in Africa as well as joining as a partner country in BRICS, amongst its new international roles.

Vietnam and South Africa have enjoyed a longstanding friendship and productive cooperation over the past three decades. Could you share more about some “highlights” in our bilateral relations in recent years?

As our friendship stems from our shared partnership rooted in mutual respect, solidarity, and a shared experience of struggle for independence and development, we have shown the world what determination, hard work, and a commitment to national transformation can achieve.

Thus the culmination of the recent State Visit of President Ramaphosa to Vietnam in October 2025 and the visit of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to attend South Africa’s hosting of the G20 Leaders Summit in November 2025, enabled the elevation of the bilateral relationship from a Comprehensive Partnership to a Strategic Partnership, signalling a shared commitment to deepening cooperation across political, economic, and security domains.

This was preceded by various bilateral and multilateral engagements including the Third Defence Policy Dialogue in February 2025, in Vietnam; the Sixth South Africa-Vietnam Partnership Forum in 2024 in South Africa and the reciprocral visits of the Deputy President of South Africa, H.E, Mr Paul Mashatile to Vietnam in December 2023 and the visit of Vice-President of Vietnam, H.E Ms Vo Thi Anh Xuan to South Africa in September 2023, commemorating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. In addition, there are numerous agreements signed and being actioned in the education, agriculture, legal and diplomatic sectors, with other cooperation agreements being negotiated in the security, environmental and justice fields.

South African Ambassador to Vietnam Vuyiswa Tulelo at the 70th Anniversary of the signing of the Geneva Agreement, 2024. (Photo: Xuan Son)

In your view, what areas hold the greatest potential for further collaboration between Vietnam and South Africa in the coming years?

Bilateral relations between South Africa and Vietnam have deepened significantly in recent years, most notably through the formal elevation of the relationship to a Strategic Partnership and the High‑level exchanges, including President Ramaphosa’s official visit to Vietnam in October 2025.

This has further consolidated the strategic character of the relationship and generated an intensified programme of follow‑up commitments, placing Vietnam among South Africa’s most important partners in Southeast Asia.

These commitments include the continuance of high-level exchanges at Ministerial and Parliamentary levels; the strengthening of political, economic, educational, environmental and security ties with a key regional partner with a fast-growing economy; promoting South African and Vietnamese exports and imports and investment opportunities in minerals, agriculture, and manufacturing and addressing trade imbalances and improving market access to diversify trade partnerships beyond traditional markets.

Thank you so much, Ambassador!

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