Vietnam and Africa jointly opened an international conference in the capital city of ${bigcity_Hanoi:"Hanoi"} on August 17. The meeting, known as the second Vietnam-Africa forum, was set to create a foundation to bring the relations of the two countries into a new era of stability, while re-evaluating the status quo of the past economic cooperation and its advantages and challenges, at the same time discussing other breakthrough measures in the fields of agriculture, mining, trade, expert personnel cooperation, infrastructure development and human resources. Such sectors discussed gives both Vietnam and Africa great opportunities to closely cooperate in trade. Bilateral trade has developed fast between the two regions in the recent years, though trade with Africa just accounts for four percent of Vietnam's total trade turnover.

Africa and Vietnam both believe they have many strengths and potentials to cooperate with each other. Vietnam has made remarkable improvements in ensuring food security and becoming a major rice exporter in the region and across the globe. But both countries also admit to not reaching their full potentials due to lack of information and resources. According to a report published by the World Bank and the Food and Agriculture Organization, at least 400 million hectares in 25 African countries are fertile enough to grow food crops but are untapped. Reports from Academy of Agricultural Sciences states that Vietnam has sent 2000 agriculture experts to Africa over the past 20 years to help develop hundreds of new rice cultivation models and varieties for African villages and communes.

Vietnam’s experience has been a focus of interest to African countries to be able to move to the same direction, considering its potentials. In fact, 46 African nations came to the forum and showed their willingness to cooperate in all areas possible to ensure sustainable development. At present, Vietnam has diplomatic ties with more than 50 countries in Africa.