The visit is taking place in the context where peace and cooperation remain prevailing trends; however, regional and international situations are undergoing rapid and pivotal changes. Increasing instability in the global economy and the escalating risk of trade wars have forced nations to strengthen connectivity, cope with fluctuations, address market deficiencies, and reinforce multilateralism.
France is one of the world’s top economies, with strengths in science and technology, aerospace, transport equipment, energy, mechanical engineering, telecommunications, services, and tourism. Politically, the European country continues to uphold its prominent position and reputation on the global stage and in international organizations through its proactive foreign policy and enhanced cooperation with strategic partners in various regions, including Vietnam.
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Chief of the Presidential Office Le Khanh Hai welcomes French President Emmanuel Macron and his spouse at Noi Bai International Airport. |
Meanwhile, in the Asia-Pacific region, Vietnam stands out as a dynamic and developing economy. The country is accelerating the implementation of its development goals and enacting major policies to drive breakthroughs in science and technology, innovation, and international integration in the new context.
Over the past half-decade, Vietnam–France relations have steadily flourished. The two countries officially established diplomatic ties in 1973, upgraded their relationship to a strategic partnership in 2013, and further elevated it to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2024, making France the first European Union member to achieve the highest level of bilateral ties with Vietnam.
In politics and diplomacy, the two nations have maintained regular exchanges of delegations at all levels, especially high-level ones. Highlights include the visit to France by Party General Secretary and then State President To Lam in October 2024, the visit by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in November 2021, and the visit to Vietnam by President of the French Senate Gerard Larcher in 2022.
The two countries have upheld numerous dialogue and cooperation mechanisms, shared common positions on regional and international issues, supported multilateralism, and closely coordinated within international organizations such as the United Nations, ASEAN–EU, and the Francophonie community.
In terms of economy, trade, investment, and development cooperation, France is among Vietnam’s leading European partners and is its top European ODA donor. In 2024, bilateral trade reached USD 5.42 billion, a 12.9% increase compared to the previous year. France ranked 16th among 147 countries and territories investing in Vietnam, with 700 existing projects and registered capital totaling nearly USD 3.9 billion (corrected from USD 39 million, which would be unusually low). Meanwhile, Vietnam has 20 investment projects in France with total registered capital also nearing USD 39 million. Many leading French corporations, including Airbus, Thales, and EDF, are keen to invest in Vietnam, especially in fields such as nuclear power, renewable energy, strategic infrastructure, urban transportation, railways, and aerospace.
Notably, cooperation in defense and security remains one of the key pillars of the bilateral relationship, demonstrated through consultation meetings, security dialogues, and officer training programs.
It is worth noting that in 2024, for the first time, a French Minister of the Armed Forces attended a grand ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory. This marked a significant milestone, reflecting France’s willingness to reconcile with the past and look toward a future of cooperation with Vietnam. Moreover, collaboration in culture, education and training, healthcare, and science and technology has been vibrant and continues to expand.
The visit of President Emmanuel Macron and his spouse reflects the importance that France places on its relationship with Vietnam, an important partner in Southeast Asia and a key element in France’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
This visit provides an opportunity for Vietnam to continue implementing the outcomes of Party Chief and then State President To Lam’s 2024 visit to France. It also reaffirms Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, and diversification of international relations, as adopted at the 13th National Party Congress.
On that basis, the visit is expected to be a success, serving as a driver to elevate the Vietnam–France comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights. It is also anticipated to contribute significantly to enhancing ASEAN–EU cooperation for peace, prosperity, and sustainable global development.
By Editorial Board
Translated by Mai Huong