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 diplomatic relatio🐓ns (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.
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.
Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long received British Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew in Hanoi on August 7, affirming education as a standout pillar in the Vietnam - UK Strategic Partnership.
Vietnam consistently considers Japan one of its most important and long-term strategic partners that will continue to accompany the country in the new era, said Party General Secretary To Lam.
Diep expressed her hope that the Consulate General would serve as a bridge to connect Can Tho with Australian partners in key areas such as trade, investment, healthcare, education, and high-quality workforce training.
The grand parade in Hanoi on September 2 is intended to reaffirm the historic significance and lasting legacy of the August Revolution and the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam - now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. It also reflects the ongoing development of the armed forces under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam over the past 80 years.
Building on the shared strengths of both sides, the diplomat expressed her hope for deeper cooperation with Rhodes, particularly in tourism, hospitality, education, and labour.
President Cuong and the delegation laid a wreath in commemoration of President Ho Chi Minh at the late leader's statue in the Vietnamese Embassy in Angola. They also laid wreaths at the memorial stele on Ho Chi Minh Avenue and the Monument to the Unknown Soldier in Luanda.
The Party Central Committee’s Office must elevate the calibre of Party officials and members, urging stronger leadership and direction to meet increasingly demanding responsibilities.
This is the highest-level visit by a key leader of Vietnam after many years. It takes place at a time as the two nations are preparing for the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties (November 12, 1975 – 2025).
Nearly two years after the elevation of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world, the Vietnam-Japan relationship has made comprehensive progress across all fields.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called on ministries and local authorities to work together to reach an economic growth target of 8.3 - 8.5% in 2025 and double-digit growth in the following period, while cautioning that the challenges ahead will outweigh the opportunities.
