Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse together with a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation will make official visits to Kuwait and Algeria, and attend the G20 Summit in South Africa from November 16-24, 2025.
The invitations have been extended by Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al Sabah of Kuwait, Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb of Algeria, and President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press communique on November 13.
Vietnam and Kuwait established diplomatic relations on January 10, 1976. Over the years, bilateral relations have developed steadily across all fields, with frequent high-level exchanges. Most recently, in September 2024, General Secretary and President To Lam met Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah at the UN General Assembly.
Bilateral trade last year reached approximately USD 7.3 billion, primarily due to crude oil imports. Vietnam’s exports to Kuwait include seafood, fruits and vegetables, cashew nuts, pepper, wood, spare parts, and components. Kuwait recognised Vietnam as a market economy in February 2016. Cooperation extends to multilateral forums, education and training, labour, healthcare, local governance, and unofficial development aid.
The Vietnamese community in Kuwait currently numbers around 200-300 people, mostly contract workers in domestic work, beauty services, oil and gas, and hospitality.
Vietnam and Algeria established diplomatic relations on October 28, 1962. Bilateral relations have been maintained and strengthened across politics, economy, investment, defence, labour, culture, sports, and local governance. In 2024, Vietnam’s exports to Algeria totaled about USD 192.3 million (mainly coffee, pepper, metals, and chemicals), while imports were nearly USD 6 million (mainly fruits, animal feed, and raw materials). Around 2,000 Vietnamese live and work in Algeria.
Meanwhile, Vietnam and South Africa established diplomatic relations on December 22, 1993. Before that, Vietnam had relations with the ANC and the South African Communist Party, supporting the struggle against apartheid and democratic reforms.
The two countries cooperate closely in international organisations and multilateral forums. South Africa recently supported Vietnam’s election to the UN Security Council (non-permanent member, 2020-2021), the UN Human Rights Council (2023-2025), and the World Heritage Committee (2023-2027).
Two-way trade last year hit USD 1.72 billion, with Vietnam exporting about USD 773 million worth of goods. As of October 2024, South African investments in Vietnam include 20 active projects totaling USD 0.88 million. Approximately 200 Vietnamese live and work in South Africa.
Vietnam has been invited to the G20 Summit six times and participates in several G20 initiatives, contributing to global efforts to address shared challenges. The 2025 G20 Summit, hosted by South Africa in Johannesburg on November 22-23, will focus on “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability.”
Established in 1999, the G20 plays a major role in global governance, representing around 67 per cent of the world’s population, 85 per cent of global GDP, and 75 per cent of international trade. It promotes the voice and participation of developing countries in global decision-making.