Welcoming ceremony for President Luong Cuong's state visit to the Republic of Angola

According to the special correspondent of VNA, at 11:00 a.m. on August 7 (local time), the welcoming ceremony for President Luong Cuong and his wife, along with the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation on a state visit to the Republic of Angola, was solemnly held according to the highest protocol for welcoming heads of state at the Presidential Palace in the capital Luanda.

President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço welcomes President Luong Cuong. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA

President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço and his wife presided over the welcoming ceremony.

This is the highest-level visit by a Vietnamese leader in many years, taking place at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (November 12, 1975 - November 12, 2025), thereby contributing to promoting cooperation between the two countries in the coming time, opening a new period of development in bilateral relations.

President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço and his wife welcome President Luong Cuong and his wife. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA

The car carrying President Luong Cuong and his wife entered the Presidential Palace to the sound of welcoming music. President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço and his wife welcomed the President and his wife at the parking lot.

President Luong Cuong and President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço review the Guard of Honor. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA

Next, President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço respectfully invited the President to step up to the podium. At the same time, 21 majestic cannon salutes resounded, expressing the respect and special affection that the Angolan State has for the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation.

After listening to the military band playing the national anthems of Angola and Vietnam, the President and the President of Angola bowed to the national flags of both countries and inspected the honor guard. At the end of the ceremony, the two leaders cordially greeted and introduced the official members of the two countries present at the welcoming ceremony.

President Luong Cuong and Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço listen to military bands playing the national anthems of the two countries. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA

Despite being located on two different continents, Vietnam and Angola have maintained a close and effective cooperative relationship, forged from the common struggle for national independence and continuously strengthened and developed over the past half century. On a solid political foundation, the two countries have built an effective cooperation framework in many fields.

The two countries have a good traditional friendship and cooperation in many aspects, including through party, government, parliament and people-to-people exchanges. The two countries have given each other valuable support in the struggle for independence, unification, national construction and development as well as in multilateral forums, especially within the framework of the United Nations (UN) and the Non-Aligned Movement.

The two sides maintain regular contacts and delegation exchanges, especially at high levels, thereby contributing to enhancing mutual understanding, consolidating political trust and establishing a common strategic vision for bilateral relations. These activities not only demonstrate the increasingly enhanced political trust, but also contribute to consolidating the foundation for the friendly relationship between the two countries.

Bilateral economic and trade cooperation has seen many improvements. Angola recognized Vietnam's full market economy status in April 2008. Trade turnover between the two countries reached nearly 250 million USD. Although bilateral exchange turnover is still modest, it is on the rise, mainly focusing on items such as machinery, equipment, agricultural products and pharmaceuticals. Regarding investment, as of December 2024, Angola had 4 investment projects in Vietnam, with a total registered investment capital of 118.4 million USD. Vietnam had 4 investment projects in Angola, with a total registered investment capital of 2.98 million USD.

Angola is currently the country with the largest Vietnamese community in Africa, with about 6,000 people, playing an increasingly prominent role in the socio-economic development of the host country. Many Vietnamese enterprises are very interested in the Angolan market. Recently, a number of Vietnamese enterprises have gradually penetrated the Angolan market, notably in the fields of oil and gas, construction, consumer goods and agriculture.

President Luong Cuong introduces members of the Vietnamese delegation to Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço and his wife. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA

Cooperation in health and education is a pillar in the bilateral relationship. Since the 1980s, Vietnam has sent many health and education experts to work in Angola. The Angolan government and people highly appreciate the valuable contributions of Vietnamese health and education experts.

The results achieved are vivid proof of the close relationship between Angola and Vietnam not only in political and diplomatic aspects but also in specific fields, towards sustainable development and mutual benefit.

In the context of complicated developments in the world economy and trade, President Luong Cuong's visit to Angola is an important step, implementing the policy of diversifying markets and partners, especially potential partners in Africa, a continent with a population of 1.5 billion people and a growing middle class, rich resources, and an increasingly important role in the world economic map.

This visit of President Luong Cuong to Angola is an important milestone, opening a new chapter in the relationship between the two countries. Deepening, promoting and elevating the relationship will create a new framework for Vietnam and Angola to further strengthen political trust, sign more agreements and cooperation agreements in areas of mutual interest such as green transformation, digital transformation, energy, agriculture, education, health, labor, climate change response, tourism and people-to-people exchange, etc. On the other hand, as the rotating Chair of the African Union (AU) that Angola is undertaking, this visit is also an important occasion to strengthen cooperation between Vietnam and the AU, Angola and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN); an opportunity for the two sides to promote their role as a bridge for cooperation between ASEAN and the AU.

President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço introduces members of the Angolan delegation to President Luong Cuong and his wife. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA

Immediately after the welcoming ceremony, President Luong Cuong and President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço had a small talk and then led high-ranking delegations from the two countries to hold official talks to discuss measures to contribute to deepening and making bilateral relations more effective.

Hoai Nam (Vietnam News Agency)

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/le-don-chu-tich-nuoc-luong-cuong-tham-cap-nha-nuoc-cong-hoa-angola-20250807180523338.htm