Hanoi, Oct. 23 -- State President Luong Cuong on October 23 presided over a State welcome ceremony for South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, who is paying a two-day State visit to Vietnam on October 23-24.

This is the first visit to Vietnam by a South African head of state in nearly 20 years, marking a historic milestone that is expected to further advance the Vietnam-South Africa relationship in a deeper and more substantive manner.

After the national anthems of both nations were played, the two leaders reviewed the Guard of Honour of the Vietnam People's Army.

Vietnam and South Africa officially established diplomatic relations on December 22, 1993, though their cooperation dates back to the 1960s. Over the past three dec...