Vietnam expects closer business connectivity with South Africa
Vietnam hopes to increase the exchange of economic information with South Africa and enhance closer connectivity between businesses of the two countries, stated Vietnamese Ambassador to South Africa Vu Van Dung.
Vietnamese Ambassador to South Africa Vu Van Dung (Photo: VNA)
Pretoria(VNA) – Vietnam hopes to increase the exchange of economic information withSouth Africa and enhance closer connectivity between businesses of the twocountries, stated Vietnamese Ambassador to South Africa Vu Van Dung.
Dung had a meeting withleaders of South Africa’s Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) onJanuary 30 to discuss issues related to cooperation between Vietnam and SouthAfrica as well as the embassy and the DCCI.
The Vietnamese diplomatheld that Vietnam and South Africa - a large economy of Africa and the world –still hold great potential for stronger trade cooperation although two-waytrade reached only 1.2 billion USD in 2016.
Vietnam will host theAPEC Year 2017 with about 200 activities along with the APEC High-level Week atthe end of the year, which is a good chance for enterprises from Durban andSouth Africa in general to tighten connections with their partners inAsia-Pacific region, he said.
Dao Manh Duc, head ofthe Vietnamese Embassy’s office for trade affairs, said that althoughVietnamese products are suitable to the South African market, they have yetbeen popular among South African consumers and businesses due to a lack ofinformation as well as business exchange channels.
Meanwhile, SouthAfrica’s strong products such as beef, fruits, wine and mineral products haveyet to successfully enter the Vietnamese market, said Duc.
He also asked the DCCIto enhance the sharing of information and partnership opportunities throughtrade promotion events hosted by the DCCI and increase meetings between tradedelegations of both sides.
Alta Keyter, DCCIDirector for Marketing and Communications, said that in the future, the DCCIwill promptly update information about Vietnam’s goods, tourism and trade fairsand exhibitions in its news bulletins, while actively exchange information withthe Vietnamese Embassy to provide South African businesses with chances tostudy the market, products and tourism of Vietnam.
Durban is the largestport city in South Africa as well as a major container port of the SouthHemisphere. It is an economic hub of South Africa with diverse sectorsincluding production, tourism, transportation, finance and import-exportactivities. With long beaches, warm weather and unique culture, the locality isalso an attractive tourist destination.
The DCCI wasestablished in 1856, grouping over 2,800 firms. It is one of the largest andmost prestigious commerce and industry chambers of South Africa.-VNA
A high level delegation from Hanoi paid a working visit to South Africa and Singapore from October 1-12 to enhance friendship and cooperation between Hanoi and the two countries’ cities.
The Vietnamese Embassy in South Africa has provided prompt assistance for a Vietnamese sailor who was left in Cape Town city by China’s Taiwanese fishing ship.
The new Government decree also simplifies loan procedures while expanding credit incentives to include organic and circular agriculture, allowing them to access preferential terms similar to those of high-tech and value-chain based agricultural production.
Developed with state-of-the-art infrastructure, the Da Nang FTZ is designed to become a leading regional economic centre and a strategic growth pole in Vietnam’s new development landscape.
The Binh Duong Association of Supporting Industries (BASI) is expected to promote the usage of domestically manufactured components while supporting businesses in accessing international markets, strengthening linkages, and promoting deeper integration into global supply chains.
PwC Vietnam forecasts a vibrant M&A market in Vietnam’s healthcare sector in 2025, driven by rising demand for high-quality medical services and a growing middle class. Pharmaceutical companies, private hospitals, and specialised medical facilities, particularly in ophthalmology and oncology, are predicted to be key targets for M&A.
The central province of Quang Nam is set to become a hub for the medicinal plant industry, with Ngoc Linh ginseng designated as the core crop, under the Prime Minister's decision issued earlier this year.
The North-South Expressway project is scheduled for completion by 2030, aiming to establish the groundwork for Vietnam’s modern railway industry and stimulate regional economic development, positioning the country for a significant economic leap in the era of national rise.
The probe, initiated on June 11 following a petition by the US Coalition for Fair Trade in Hardwood Plywood, targets products classified under HS Code 4412 and 9403 imported from China, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Sun PhuQuoc Airways was born as a perfect piece in Sun Group’s strategic vision to build a premium ecosystem of tourism, entertainment, real estate, and aviation. With a pioneering ambition, Sun PhuQuoc Airways is not just an airline, but a symbol of connection – bringing the world to Phu Quoc and taking Phu Quoc to the world.
A key change in the draft decree is a provision requiring bank transfers for gold transactions valued at 20 million VND (765 USD) and above, to enhance transparency and verify customer identities.
In the first four months of 2025, trade turnover between Vietnam and Cambodia surpassed 3 billion USD, marking a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
On June 19 alone, a total of 2,005 trucks completed customs clearance at Lang Son’s border gates — the highest single-day figure ever recorded in the province. Of these, 634 carried exports and 1,371 imports.
The OECD Economic Surveys: Vietnam 2025 report focuses on analysing the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals, the impact of international integration on attracting foreign investment and trade, and the country’s prospects for developing a low-carbon economy.
Antoine Colin, Senior Vice President for Global Supply Chain Digital Transformation & Resilience at HP Inc., affirmed HP’s strategic commitment to building a supply chain and ecosystem in Vietnam and the region.
Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)’s Trade Promotion Agency Bui Quang Hung emphasised that logistics has evolved from a technical function into a core capability for Vietnamese exporters to maintain their competitive advantage in the US market.
A trade official has suggested companies work closely with shipping lines, airlines, and freight forwarders to monitor routes, transit times, and potential surcharges while exploring broader cargo insurance to cover risks like war and terrorism.
In addition to institutional reform, the agency is also rolling out key solution groups to combat counterfeit goods, imitations, and intellectual property infringements in the digital environment.
The event, co-organised by the Vietnam Trade Office in the UK and TT Meridian, a local importer of Vietnamese fresh produce, aims to build a national lychee brand and encourage broader recognition of Vietnamese fruits in a competitive, high-end market.
The industry's performance has been powered by bold investments in modern production lines, enabling Vietnamese firms to produce complicated products which were exclusive to advanced economies.
Vietnamese Ambassador to South Africa Vu Van Dung (Photo: VNA) 
