General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense of Vietnam, receives Thobekile Gamede, Acting Secretary General of Defense of South Africa, Hanoi, February 25, 2025.

Speaking at a meeting with Ms. Thobekile Gamede, Acting Secretary-General of South Africa’s Defense Department in Hanoi on Tuesday, General Giang said the MoU would serve as a foundation to enhance bilateral defense collaboration in a more substantive and effective manner.

Earlier the same day Deputy Defense Minister Hoang Xuan Chien co-chaired the 3rd Vietnam-South Africa Defense Policy Dialogue with Ms. Gamede.

Mr. Chien reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to upholding its “Four Nos” defense policy and resolving disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law. The “Four Nos” are no military alliances, no siding with one country against another, no foreign military bases or use of the Vietnamese territory to oppose other countries, and no use of force or threat to use force in international relations.

The two defense ministries will continue to strengthen high-level exchanges and maintain the deputy ministerial-level defense policy dialogue mechanism.

Ms. Gamede acknowledged Vietnam’s significant contributions to addressing regional and global security challenges and expressed support for further bilateral defense cooperation, particularly in the defense industry.