Vietnam, South Africa boost cooperation for women’s development
A delegation from the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU), led by Vice President Tran Thi Huong, had a working session with the African National Congress (ANC) Women’s League as part of its visit to South Africa from August 13-14.
Pretoria (VNA) - Adelegation from the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU), led by Vice President Tran ThiHuong, had a working session with the African National Congress (ANC) Women’sLeague as part of its visit to South Africa from August 13-14.
This is the first high-level visit to South Africa by the VWU toestablish relations and share information between the VWU and the league – an organisationwas set up in 1948 to protect the interests of women in the African country.
Speaking at the working session, VWU Vice President Huong said Vietnam needs tolearn from South Africa’s experience in helping women to affirm their positionin society and in operating the State apparatus, as the rate of female leaders inthe South African government accounts for 50 percent.
The visit is an appropriate opportunity for the two organisations to set up acooperative relationship, thus expanding cooperation with other authorisedagencies in Africa, Huong said.
She suggested the two sides cooperate in training female officials,particularly in gender equality, through training courses at the VietnamWomen's Academy.
For her part, Pinky Kekana, member of the National Executive Committee of theANC Women’s League, highly valued the visit of the VWU.
Kekana, who is also Deputy Minister of Communications and Secretary General ofthe Pan African Women’s Organisation (PAWO), stressed that one of the ways toempower women in society is to help them do well business.
This is also considered a potential area of cooperation between the two sides,she noted, adding that the organisations can also work to boost healthcooperation, especially maternal and child health protection.
Earlier, the VWU’s delegation attended the World Committee meeting of the Women's International DemocraticFederation in Namibia from August 7-12, which discussedissues related to gender equality, world peace and social justice. -VNA
The relations between Vietnam and South Africa have developed in all fields since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1993, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to South Africa Vu Van Dung.
A Vietnam – South Africa business dialogue took place in Cape Town, South Africa on March 13, part of the fourth Vietnam – South Africa inter-governmental partnership forum.
Representatives from the Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam and South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry met on June 25 to discuss ways to boost trade cooperation between the two countries.
A delegation from the Vietnam Social Security (VSS) had a working session with officials of health and social development of South Africa in Pretoria on July 23, seeking to enhance relations between the two countries in these fields.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
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.
At the working session (Source: VNA) 
