President Luong Cuong begins state visit to Angola
The visit is an occasion for the two sides to discuss orientations and measures for elevating their ties to a new level in a more substantive, effective, and sustainable manner, thereby meeting each country’s development and international integration demand in the new context.
President Luong Cuong and his spouse Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet arrive at Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport in Luanda on August 6 afternoon (local time). (Photo: VNA)
Luanda (VNA) – State President Luong Cuong, his spouse, and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam arrived at Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport in Luanda on August 6 afternoon (local time), beginning a state visit to Angola at the invitation of President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço and his spouse.
At the airport, the Vietnamese leader and delegation were welcomed by Angolan Minister of External Relations Téte António, Angolan Ambassador to Vietnam Fernando Miguel, Governor of Luanda province Luis Manuel da Fonseca, Director of State Protocol at the Angolan Ministry of External Relations Jorge Pataca, Vietnamese Ambassador to Angola Duong Chinh Chuc, and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy.
President Cuong’s trip to Angola holds great significance as the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties (November 12, 1975–2025). It is expected to help foster bilateral cooperation in the time ahead and herald a new development phase for the countries’ relations.
Angolan officials welcome President Luong Cuong at Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport on August 6 afternoon. (Photo: VNA)
The visit reflects the importance Vietnam attaches to Angola and affirms their faithful relationship nurtured during the past struggles for national liberation. It is also an occasion for the two sides to discuss orientations and measures for elevating their ties to a new level in a more substantive, effective, and sustainable manner, thereby meeting each country’s development and international integration demand in the new context.
During the visit, President Cuong is scheduled to engage in high-level talks with his counterpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, meet with Speaker of the National Assembly Carolina Cerqueira, and have a working session with leaders of the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola. He will also have a meeting with the Vietnamese community in the African nation and attend a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations.
In particular, the President will deliver an important speech at the National Assembly of Angola to convey a policy message a♊bout Vietnam’s🌱 wish to contribute more to the global politics, world economy, and human civilisation./.
While bilateral relations have remained cordial, economic cooperation is still limited, with few major Vietnamese projects in Angola. Both sides are determined to change this, said Vietnamese Ambassador to Angola Duong Chinh Chuc.
Hang described the visit as a turning point that will lay the groundwork for the two nations to enhance cooperation in key areas such as green transition and digital transformation, energy, agriculture, education, healthcare, labour, climate change, tourism, and cultural exchange.
This is the highest-level visit by a Vietnamese leader to Angola in nearly two decades, and that it takes place in the context that the two nations are preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations (1975–2025) further highlights the historical and symbolic importance of the event.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
