Vietnam, Angola celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties
Over the past five decades, the Vietnam - Angola relationship has grown steadily, marked by political trust and close bonds between their Parties, States, Governments, and peoples, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
Participants in the ceremony that marks the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Angola diplomatic relations (November 12, 1975–2025). (Photo: VNA)
Luanda (VNA) – Vietnam and Angola celebrated the 50th anniversary of their dip🦩lomatic relations (November 12, 1975–2025) with a🐎 ceremony held in Luanda on August 7.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong, his spouse, and a high-ranking delegation, who are on a state visit to the African nation, attended the event.
Hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in Angola, the event brought together Angolan Foreign Minister Tete Antonio, leaders of the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), members of diplomatic corps, local friends, and about 400 representatives of the Vietnamese community in Angola.
Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said the anniversary is a major milestone for the two countries, especially as it is celebrated as part of President Cuong’s visit – the first trip to Angola by a key Vietnamese leader in nearly 20 years.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)
He recalled that the close friendship between Vietnam and Angola has been forged since their struggles for national liberation. Landmark visits, such as those by MPLA leader Agostinho Agostinho Neto to Vietnam in 1971 and General Vo Nguyen Giap to Angola in 1980, helped cement solidarity. On November 12, 1975, just one day after Angola declared independence, the two countries officially established diplomatic ties, laying the foundation for a strong relationship based on the shared values of independence, freedom, and development.
Over the past five decades, this relationship has grown steadily, marked by political trust and close bonds between their Parties, States, Governments, and peoples. Cooperation has flourished in multiple areas, from politics and diplomacy to economy, culture, education, health, and people-to-people exchanges.
Deputy PM Son stressed that President Cuong’s visit holds special significance as it aims to set future directions for bilateral ties and underscores Vietnam’s policy of unceasingly enhancing partnerships with Angola and Africa at large. He described the Vietnam – Angola fraternity and friendship as a valuable asset that must be preserved and strengthened to promote cooperation and unlock resources for mutual development.
He voiced his belief that with support from both countries' leaders, strong political resolve, sincere cooperative spirit, as well as support and coordination from international friends and partners, bilateral relations will keep thriving, meeting the two peoples' aspirations and interests and contributing to peace, cooperation, and development in both regions and the whole world.
Angolan Minister of External Relations Tete Antonio speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)
For his part, Angolan Minister of External Relations Tete Antonio said Angola and Vietnam have built a trusted and close-knit relationship based on solidarity, mutual respect, and friendly cooperation, forged during the fights for independence and freedom.
He praised Vietnam’s courage and resilience, which have inspired the Angolan people, and expressed gratitude for Vietnam’s valuable support in agriculture, education, and health. Many Angolan experts trained in Vietnam have contributed significantly to their home country’s development.
Looking ahead, Antonio called for deepening strategic cooperation and exploring new opportunities in trade, science, technology, tourism, cultural exchanges, and business links.
Describing President Cuong’s visit as a vivid demonstration of friendship and joint commitment to nurturing bilateral ties, he reaffirmed the two countries’s shared vision for a peaceful and prosperous world, trust in multilateralism, and support for the peaceful resolution of conflicts. He added that the two countries will remain reliable partners on the international stage who will jointly protect the interests of developing nations and promote global stability.
At the ceremony, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son, who is co-chair of the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, presented insignia to several Vietnamese medical and educational experts in recognition of their important contributions to Angola’s development and the two countries’ relations./.
President Luong Cuong called on the two countries to join hands to promote South – South cooperation, contribute to building a fair and equal global political and economic order, safeguard independence and sovereignty, and promote extensive and substantive international solidarity and cooperation.
President Luong Cuong called on the community to remain united, integrate well into local society, adhere to local laws, and continue contributing to both Angola’s development and Vietnam – Angola relations.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Angola Carolina Cerqueira agreed to continue strengthening political trust, boost high-level delegation exchanges via all channels, including the parliamentary one, and create favourable legal conditions for bilateral cooperation.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong and Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço met with the press right after concluding their talks and witnessing the signing of seven cooperation agreements between the two countries in Luanda on August 7.
State President Luong Cuong stressed the fraternal ties between Vietnam and Angola as a shared invaluable asset. It serves as a solid foundation for both countries to enter a new phase of development, further foster political trust and mutual support between the two Parties and States, and deepen the solidarity and mutual understanding between their people.
At the dialogue, both sides expressed satisfaction with the intensive and extensive development of bilateral relationship since it was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year.
The robust collaboration between the Vietnamese National Assembly and Japan’s National Diet, particularly between the two nations’ parliamentary friendship groups, is a hallmark of bilateral relations, contributing to deepening the Vietnam-Japan comprehensive strategic partnership, said NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man.
