Vietnam seeks free trade agreement with Southern African Customs Union
South Africa is expected to link Vietnam and the world’s oldest customs union established in 1910 comprising Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa.
THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has proposed that South Africa support Vietnam in launching negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement with the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).
Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Hanoi on October 23. Photos: VGP
Chinh shared the idea during the meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as part of his ongoing state visit to Vietnam on October 23–24.
The Southern African Customs Union (SACU) is the world’s oldest customs union, established in 1910. It comprises five member states, including Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa.
SACU promotes free trade and regional integration through common tariffs, shared customs policies and equitable revenue distribution.
The bloc serves as a key trade partner within Africa, linking its members to wider continental and global markets.
To facilitate the economic ties between the two countries and with the African region, both sides agreed to elevate their relations to a Strategic Partnership in 2025, aiming to build a model partnership for South–South cooperation.
Strengthening political trust and comprehensive cooperation
President Luong Cuong and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reaffirmed the traditional friendship between Vietnam and South Africa, rooted in shared ideals of independence, freedom and Afro–Asian solidarity.
Both sides agreed to complete domestic procedures to soon upgrade the bilateral framework to a Strategic Partnership, creating new momentum for deeper and more effective cooperation.
The leaders expressed satisfaction with the positive development of bilateral ties, especially in politics, economy, trade and multilateral coordination.
South Africa is Vietnam’s largest trading partner in Africa, while Vietnam remains one of South Africa’s leading partners in Asia.
The two countries identified economic, trade and investment cooperation as a key focus for the next phase. They agreed to facilitate market access for each other’s key products and accelerate negotiations on agreements on mutual legal assistance, double taxation avoidance and visa exemption for ordinary passport holders.
Both sides also agreed to expand cooperation in new areas, including green transition, digital transformation, renewable energy, manufacturing, agriculture, human resource training, communications and climate change adaptation.
The leaders agreed to strengthen coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums, promoting multilateralism and South–South cooperation for peace, stability and sustainable development.
South Africa reaffirmed its support for Vietnam’s candidacies at UN agencies while Vietnam expressed hope that South Africa would support ASEAN and Vietnam’s position on the South China Sea.
Towards a model partnership for the Global South
PM Chinh and President Cyril Ramaphosa at a photo display on Vietnam-South Africa relationship.
President Cyril Ramaphosa praised Vietnam’s achievements over nearly four decades of renovation and described Vietnam as a close friend and trusted partner of South Africa in Asia.
He expected that the Strategic Partnership would open a new chapter in bilateral ties, contributing to peace, prosperity and solidarity among developing nations.
With strong political will and a solid foundation of cooperation, Vietnam and South Africa are working towards building a model partnership for South–South cooperation based on friendship, trust and shared progress.
Regarding the South-South cooperation, Vietnam has long been an active contributor to South–South cooperation, sharing its development experience and technical expertise with fellow developing nations, particularly in agriculture and food security.
Through bilateral and multilateral frameworks, Vietnam has supported many countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America in improving rice cultivation, aquaculture and sustainable farming practices.
Its partnerships with nations such as Mozambique, Tanzania, Cuba and Laos include technology transfer, agricultural training and joint research programs.
The country has also implemented projects under the South–South and Triangular Cooperation model with UN agencies like FAO and IFAD, helping developing countries strengthen food systems and adapt to climate change.
Vietnam’s approach to South–South cooperation emphasizes mutual benefit, knowledge sharing and solidarity among developing nations, reflecting its broader commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable development.
