Vietnam News Today (Jul. 8): Vietnam Considers South Africa Leading Strategic Partner in Africa

	Vietnam News Today (Jul. 5): Vietnam, Thailand Pledge to Deepen Military Ties
	Vietnam News Today (Jul. 7): Vietnam to Report Achievements in Implementation of Int’l Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) meets South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 6. (Photo: VGP)

Vietnam considers South Africa a leading strategic partner in Africa

Vietnam regards South Africa as a leading and important partner in the African region, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during their meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 6.

Meeting President Ramaphosa on the sidelines of the 2025 BRICS Summit, PM Chinh highly valued South Africa’s international standing, particularly its role as Chair of the G20 in 2025, and expressed Vietnam’s desire to further deepen the “Partnership for Cooperation and Development” between the two countries in a more practical and effective manner.

Highlighting the great potential for cooperation, the Prime Minister noted that Vietnam and South Africa can complement each other in many areas. He called for stronger cooperation in economy, trade, investment, education and training, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges, laying a solid foundation for elevating bilateral relations to new heights.

He also thanked South Africa for inviting Vietnam’s senior leadership to attend the coming 2025 G20 Summit and extended a cordial invitation to President Ramaphosa to visit Vietnam in the near future, cited VOV.

President Ramaphosa, for his part, emphasised the significance of the April 2025 phone call with Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam, describing it as an important milestone that helped deepen the relationship between the two Parties and two countries.

The President commended Vietnam’s socio-economic development achievements and reaffirmed South Africa’s high regard for the traditional friendship built through shared struggles against colonialism and apartheid. He expressed his strong desire to visit Vietnam in 2025.

The two leaders discussed key directions for advancing the Vietnam – South Africa relationship and agreed to explore the signing of new agreements and legal frameworks to boost economic cooperation and enhance collaboration in education, defense, and security. They also agreed to consider expanding cooperation into other promising areas such as energy, mining, sustainable resource use, infrastructure development, and climate change response.

On this occasion, the two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, reaffirming their shared commitment to promoting multilateralism, respecting international law, and strengthening South–South cooperation for peace and sustainable development.

Vietnam attends ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting in Malaysia

Ambassador Tran Duc Binh, acting head of the ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) delegation of Vietnam, attended the ASEAN SOM held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 7.

The meeting opened a series of activities within the framework of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM-58) and Related Meetings from July 8-11. It comprehensively reviewed the agenda and logistics for the upcoming meetings.

Ambassador Binh and other representatives highly appreciated the role of the ASEAN Chair - Malaysia - in coordinating and leading ASEAN cooperation to achieve many advances, gradually concretizing the orientation of "inclusivity and sustainability".

They discussed specific contents related to ASEAN's adaptation to geo-economic fluctuations, strengthening ASEAN's relations with existing partners, considering proposals to establish new partners, as well as reviewing the procedures and processes for Timor Leste's admission to ASEAN. All of these contents will be reported and submitted to foreign ministers for consideration. The AMM-58 and Related Meetings will see the participation of Foreign Ministers of ASEAN countries, Timor Leste and 17 ASEAN partners, who will engage in about 20 activities within the frameworks of ASEAN, ASEAN+1, ASEAN+3, East Asia Summit (EAS) and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), according to VNA.

Delegate pose for a photo before the opening of the ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 7. (Photo: VNA)

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son is expected to lead the Vietnamese delegation to attend the first activities within the framework of the AMM-58 on July 8, including a dialogue between ASEAN foreign ministers and the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ Treaty) Committee Meeting.

These ministerial meetings are of special importance, taking place just a few weeks after the 46th ASEAN Summit with many historic results, opening a new development stage for ASEAN. Implementing leaders' decisions, the ministers will have in-depth discussions on orientation and ways to put the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and cooperation strategies into practice.

The ministers will discuss in detail the development of a roadmap and the implementation of procedures for Timor Leste to join legal documents, as well as continue to support the country after it becomes an ASEAN member.

In addition, they will review ASEAN's overall relations with its partners, adopt cooperation plans in the new period, and discuss international and regional issues of current top concern.

Vietnam seriously fulfills obligations under ICCPR: Ambassador

Vietnam is steadfast in its adherence to international human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Permanent Representative of Vietnam in Geneva Ambassador Mai Phan Dung told Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reporters there.

His remarks came as a Vietnamese delegation, comprising representatives from the Supreme People’s Court, the Supreme People’s Procuracy, various ministries, and the Government Office, prepared to present a national report on ICCPR compliance at the 144th session of the United Nations Human Rights Committee held on July 7-8.

Dung said Vietnam has actively adopted the committee’s recommendations, maintained regular dialogue, and ensured transparent reporting on its human rights commitments.

Vietnam not only provides updates on its progress but also shares practical experiences, contributing to global discussions on common concerns. These efforts, he said, have been met with positive feedback from international partners, reinforcing Vietnam’s standing and credibility at multilateral forums, including the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

Vietnam’s growing reputation has been reflected in its successful bids for seats at the UN bodies in recent years. Looking ahead, Dung affirmed Vietnam’s continued active role in addressing key issues at the UNHRC, engaging in constructive dialogue in ongoing efforts to reform the UNHRC and the broader UN system. These contributions aim to enhance the UN’s capacity to tackle emerging global challenges for peace, development, and prosperity.

Since the start of its current term, Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to Geneva has worked closely with domestic agencies to promote dialogue and cooperation at the UNHRC, Dung said. The mission has spearheaded several initiatives that have gained broad international support. At the UNHRC’s 59th session last week, it hosted a well-received workshop on food system transformation amid climate change.

The country has also spearheaded landmark resolutions, including one marking the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, co-sponsored by 121 countries. Another resolution, co-sponsored by Bangladesh and the Philippines, focused on ensuring human rights during a just energy transition and was adopted by consensus, VNA reported.

Permanent Representative of Vietnam in Geneva Ambassador Mai Phan Dung. (Photo: VNA)

At the UNHRC’s ongoing 59th session, Vietnam continues to advocate for climate finance, technical cooperation, and child protection in cyberspace as a core member of the Human Rights and Climate Change group, he added.

According to him, Vietnam has put forward various initiatives at the UNHRC to advance the protection and promotion of human rights. These include joint statements on key topics such as vaccination and the right to health, gender equality, implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), protection of civilian infrastructure in armed conflicts, climate change and human rights, and the right to food, which have received broad co-sponsorship from numerous member states.

In addition, Vietnam has actively partnered with countries and international organisations to promote other initiatives, including events held on the margins of UNHRC sessions on anti-discrimination, violence, and gender-based harassment in the workplace; the right to immunisation and health; mainstreaming human rights education into national education systems; and food systems transformation in the context of climate change to ensure the right to food.

The mission has also been actively involved in the preparation and defense of the country's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Fourth Cycle report, held in May and September 2024, contributing significantly to the success of the process. As a member of the council, Vietnam also regularly serves on Troika teams, three-country groups that assist in reviewing national reports under the UPR mechanism.

In 2025, the mission successfully collaborated with the Ministry of Home Affairs to defend Vietnam’s national report under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Looking ahead, it will coordinate with the Ministry of Justice to prepare for Vietnam’s fourth dialogue with the UN Human Rights Committee on the ICCPR compliance, widely recognized as the most comprehensive and far-reaching international human rights treaty.

Prime Minister meets Cuban President on 17th BRICS Summit margin

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a meeting with Cuban President Miguel Diaz Canel in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 6, within the framework of the 17th BRICS Summit.

The Prime Minister conveyed an invitation from Vietnam's senior leaders to the First Secretary and President of Cuba to visit Vietnam and attend the 80th anniversary of the National Day of Vietnam (September 2, 2025).

Pham said that he has directed Vietnamese ministries, sectors, and enterprises to actively implement the high-level agreements and commitments reached during the State visit to Cuba by General Secretary To Lam in September 2024, particularly in the areas of food security, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology.

The Party, Government, and people of Vietnam consistently support Cuba, calling for an end to the blockade on Cuba and for Cuba to be removed from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, noted Pham.

The Cuban leader, for his part, expressed deep appreciation for the solidarity and valuable support extended by the Party, Government, National Assembly, and people of Vietnam to Cuba.

The Cuban President highlighted the historical significance of General Secretary To Lam's visit to Cuba in 2024, noting that it marked the beginning of a new chapter in the relations between the two countries, cited VGP.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (L) meets Cuban President Miguel Diaz Canel, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 6, 2025. Photo: VGP

He welcomed and spoke highly of the presence and effective operations of Vietnamese enterprises investing in Cuba, affirming that Cuba always creates favorable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to expand investments in Cuba, bringing mutual benefits to both sides.

The two leaders agreed on the need to continue strengthening high-level exchanges and contacts, and regularly hold bilateral dialogues and cooperation mechanisms, including political consultations between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs, the Intergovernmental Committee, theoretical seminars between the two Parties, and the defense policy dialogue, in order to review and effectively promote the implementation of cooperation agreements.

They pledged to joining hands in organizing a wide range of activities to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (December 2, 1960) and the Vietnam–Cuba Friendship Year, with the aim of educating the young generations of both nations about the tradition of special friendship and close solidarity between the two peoples.

The two leaders also exchanged views on several regional and international issues of mutual concern and vowed to closely coordinate at multilateral forums such as the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, South-South Cooperation, and the Forum for East Asia–Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC).

Hue cuisine and culture honored with national heritage status

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has officially recognized two elements from Hue - Bun bo Hue (spicy beef noodle soup) and the Bhuoih Haro Tome (new rice) festival - national intangible cultural heritage.

A quintessential dish of Hue, the beef noodle soup is known for its rich, flavorful broth made from beef bones, lemongrass, shrimp paste, and chili oil, served with rice noodles, beef, and fresh herbs. Traditionally eaten for breakfast, the dish stands out for its bold taste and balance of spicy, sour, salty, and umami flavours.

In 2014, the late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain declared Bun bo Hue "the greatest soup in the world." Two years later, the Asia Record Organization listed it among the Top 100 most valuable Asian dishes.

In 2023, international food website TasteAtlas ranked Hue 28th among the world’s 100 best food cities, highlighting Bun bo Hue as the must-try dish.

Bun bo Hue (spicy beef noodle soup) is recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage.

The dish’s heritage recognition not only celebrates its culinary importance but also reinforces Hue’s status as a cultural and gastronomic capital of Vietnam.

Also granted heritage status is the Bhuoih Haro Tome, or new rice festival, celebrated annually by the Co Tu ethnic group in Hue.

This traditional event takes place after the rice harvest, allowing the community to give thanks to the gods for a successful season and to pray for future peace and prosperity. The festival is marked by rituals, dances, music, and communal feasting, preserving the spiritual and cultural identity of the Co Tu people.

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