Highlighting the collaboration potential between Hanoi and South African partners and localities in investment, trade, and tourism, the Permanent Deputy Secretary of the municipal Party Committee said that Hanoi always places importance on and stays ready to offer the best possible conditions for South African businesses and investors who are interested in investing in the city.
Many delegates of South Africa showed a keen interest in cooperation opportunities with Hanoi in particular and Vietnam in general.
At the event, commercial products, key craft villages, unique cultural and tourist destinations, and attractive cuisine of Hanoi were introduced, drawing plenty of attention from South African partners.
Speaking to the media in Pretoria, Duong Duc Tuan, vice chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, said that the event showcased the great potential that exists for co-operation between Hanoi and South Africa in investment, trade, and tourism.
A highlight of the event was the introduction of tourism collaboration opportunities between the two sides, he said, adding that this co-operation will help both parties to expand their partnership in aviation and culture.
Mtho Xulu, president of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, expressed his hope at the prospect of promoting co-operation potential with Hanoi in particular and Vietnam in general, especially in mining, agricultural processing, ICT technology development, and services.
He underscored the need to explore the specific opportunities that exist in tourism to exploit the diverse culture of South Africa, Hanoi, and Vietnam. The South African side therefore suggested that the two countries should discuss how to develop and commercialize the cultural assets, as well as ways and means of innovation and the use of intellectual property.
Statistics indicate that Hanoi’s exports to South Africa raked in US$23.4 million in 2023 and US$18.8 million during the nine-month span. Meanwhile, the city imported US$116.9 million worth of products from South Africa in 2023 and US$487.4 million throughout the reviewed period.
Since March, 2022, when the Vietnamese Government resumed international tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic was controlled, the number of visitors from South Africa to Hanoi has been increasing every month, reaching 7,047 in 2023, a figure 2.3 times higher than that in 2022, and 8,360 in the first 10 months of the year, a rise 67.3% on-year.
