French Ambassador Enchanted by Hanoi And Vietnamese Ao Dai
	16 French Films To Be Shown For Free During Tet Holiday In Vietnam

To celebrate the occasion, Ambassador Olivier Brochet personally decorated his home, arranged flowers, prepared traditional sweets, and served fine tea to visitors.

This is your second time celebrating Tet in Vietnam. Is today your first time wearing an ao dai? How do you feel about Tet and how the Vietnamese celebrate it?

French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet wears ao dai during Tet. (Photo courtesy of Olivier Brochet)

Last year, I had my first Tet experience in Hanoi, and it was truly fascinating. I was especially impressed by the spirit in which the Vietnamese embrace Tet and the significance it holds, similar, in a way, to our Christmas celebrations.

Tet is a time for family, for returning to one’s roots with love and appreciation. It carries deep spiritual values, particularly in how Vietnamese people honor and express gratitude to their ancestors, parents, and teachers.

Much like Christmas, Tet unfolds through a series of traditions. Last year, I visited flower markets and gardens where kumquat and peach blossom trees are grown. The sight of people transporting everything imaginable on motorbikes, and navigating the busy streets, was remarkable. I took many photos of people carrying oversized peach and kumquat trees on their bikes.

The ao dai is an exquisite symbol of Vietnam. Every international visitor admires Vietnamese women dressed in this elegant attire, and I am no exception. After a time living in Vietnam, I discovered that men also wear ao dai, though primarily on special, formal occasions. So, I decided to have one tailored by a renowned designer and feel honored to wear it for this Tet celebration.

To be honest, I felt a little clumsy wearing it for the first time, just as I did when I was 20 years old and wore a Western suit for the first time. But I think I’ll get used to it after a few more Tet celebrations. When my family visited Vietnam for Christmas, I also wore this ao dai to show them.

Looking back on the milestones and achievements in Vietnam-France relations, what are your thoughts on the relationship between the two countries?

Vietnam and France share a long history, and in 2023, we celebrated 55 years of diplomatic ties.

2024 is a significant year with two key events. First, the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, during which the French government sent representatives, including the Minister of Defense and the Secretary of State for Veterans Affairs, to attend the commemoration in Vietnam. The presence of French officials reflects how our two nations acknowledge history, not to forget it, but to move forward together.

The second major event was the participation of General Secretary and President To Lam in the 19th Francophonie Summit and his official visit to France in October 2024. This marked the first direct meeting between the two heads of state. During the visit, Vietnam and France elevated their diplomatic relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam (R) and French President Emmanuel Macron.

For us, this is a symbol of friendship and trust from Vietnam toward France. Under this new diplomatic framework, France is committed to supporting Vietnam’s development and helping the country address current challenges.

Another highlight is the opening and operation of Hanoi’s Metro Line 3, a landmark in France-Vietnam cooperation. France contributed 500 million euros (approximately VND 13.6 trillion) to finance this railway, and French companies played a crucial role in the project by providing advanced technology.

We are pleased to see the metro in operation, with an estimated 2 to 3 million people using it as public transportation. This is a testament to France’s commitment to working with Vietnam in developing sustainable, eco-friendly transportation systems.

The Vietnam-France Joint Statement on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership outlines future cooperation.

The devastating impact of Typhoon Yagi (Storm No. 3) in northern Vietnam in September 2024 underscored the urgent need for cooperation in addressing climate change. The solidarity between our countries was evident when, upon hearing of the damage, President Macron promptly extended support to Vietnam. The French community in Vietnam and French enterprises also joined efforts to provide aid.

Looking ahead, France will host an international conference on artificial intelligence in February, followed by a climate change summit, and in June 2025, the UN Ocean Summit. We hope Vietnam will actively participate and contribute to these global discussions.

During his visit to France in October 2024, General Secretary Tô Lâm quoted a French proverb: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way; and if there’s a way, we must take it”. This reflects Vietnam’s determination to deepen our bilateral ties. How do you assess the potential for cooperation between the two countries?

France is keen to support Vietnam’s energy transition, balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability. We will continue focusing on the development of renewable energy sources. France is also open to collaborating with Vietnam on nuclear energy, as we are a global leader in this field with over 60 years of experience.

Additionally, we look forward to cooperating on railway infrastructure, particularly the North-South high-speed railway project. France is renowned for its high-speed train system (TGV) and has successfully exported this technology to several countries, including Morocco. With over 40 years of operation without major incidents, we believe France can bring valuable expertise to Vietnam.

The French Ambassador engages in discussions with residents about the playground located at the base of Long Bien Bridge and the various plants and herbs cultivated nearby.

In agriculture, France aims to work with Vietnam in developing eco-friendly farming practices to ensure sustainable growth. We also support Vietnam’s efforts in e-government, digital transformation, and administrative training, areas that General Secretary To Lam has emphasized as key priorities.

Regarding human resource development, we recognize that achieving ambitious goals requires a highly skilled workforce. France remains committed to facilitating opportunities for Vietnamese students to study in France and hopes that more young Vietnamese will choose French higher education programs, whether in Vietnam or in France.

Over the past 40 years of Doi Moi, Vietnam has consistently set ambitious goals. However, what is even more important is that Vietnam has always found ways to achieve these goals.

France was one of the first Western partners to accompany Vietnam's development from the beginning of its opening-up process. To this day, we remain committed to continuing our cooperation with Vietnam in the future.

We firmly believe that Vietnam possesses the necessary resources and methods to achieve these objectives.

In 2025, could you share insights regarding the possibility of high-level visits between the two countries, particularly at the head-of-state level from France?

The planning of high-level visits is sometimes kept as a surprise to maintain their excitement. During General Secretary To Lam’s visit to France in October, he and the French President discussed many interesting topics, with both leaders demonstrating mutual understanding and a desire to create further opportunities for exchanges to deepen bilateral relations.

Following the high-level meetings between our leaders, we are currently preparing for further significant visits. We hope to achieve concrete results in 2025. However, we prefer to keep the details confidential for now to maintain an element of surprise and excitement.

From the publicly available information, I can share that the President of the French Senate has extended an invitation to Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man to visit France this year.

At the end of 2024, you and Vietnamese journalists had the opportunity to explore various sites in Hanoi that highlight Vietnam-France cooperation. Could you share more details about the ongoing projects?

Regarding the Long Bien Bridge restoration project, a French company is currently conducting technical studies and feasibility assessments, which are expected to be completed by autumn this year. The process has taken time because this is a crucial research project requiring detailed and specific renovation proposals. Like Vietnam, France is also eager to see the results.

France is ready to provide financial and technical support for this project, with the hope that Vietnam will soon decide on the most suitable plan for upgrading Long Bien Bridge.

Although I was unfamiliar with Hanoi before assuming my post in Vietnam, the city has left a lasting and profound impression on me over the past year.

What fascinates me most about Hanoi is its unique harmony between antiquity and modernity, something not commonly found elsewhere.

Ambassador Olivier Brochet visits a Hanoi flower market before Tet. (Photo courtesy of Olivier Brochet)

Every time I take a walk around the city, I am captivated by Hanoi’s vibrant cultural life, which can be experienced anywhere. The city has numerous modern cinemas and theaters, such as the Ho Guom Theater near the French Embassy, which hosts events that attract many young audiences.

Another remarkable aspect of Hanoi that I truly appreciate is its ability to preserve its historical charm, especially in the central districts. This also presents a challenge for the capital in the coming years, how to develop and modernize while preserving its unique identity.

It is not only about maintaining and conserving architectural landscapes but also about ensuring that residents in these areas can continue to live conveniently and comfortably.

The Île-de-France region of France has collaborated with Hanoi on improving public transportation and planning cultural spaces.

Since the beginning of my tenure in Vietnam, I have also made an effort to visit various provinces. I deeply admire the beauty of Vietnam’s localities, with their diverse landscapes and warm hospitality, which make any visitor feel at ease.

Furthermore, I am impressed by the dynamism of Vietnam’s cities and provinces. Everywhere I go, I witness a strong determination to grow, evolve, and develop.

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