Cultivate Vietnam-France Friendship with the Spirit 'Put Aside the Past, Look Forward to the Future'
	VUFO, Friendship Association Congratulate Madeleine Riffaud on 100th Birthday

Comprehensive cooperation in many fields

In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency about the 19th Francophone Summit and the official visit of General Secretary and President To Lam to the French Republic from October 4-7, 2024, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang emphasized the importance of the Vietnam-France cooperative relationship.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife welcome General Secretary and President To Lam. (Photo: VietNamNet)

The Ambassador noted that the two nations are well-positioned to enhance their relationship. France holds a prominent and prestigious status globally, boasts a developed economy, and is a leader in Europe and the European Union. Actively expanding its international role, France is a founding and key member of numerous significant regional and international organizations and possesses substantial interests and influence in Asia.

Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam is a rapidly developing economy that is active in foreign affairs and integration and holds a significant position within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The two nations hold mutual respect and recognition for each other's roles as partners in intercontinental and regional relationships, including between ASEAN and the EU. They share numerous common interests in fostering peace, stability, cooperation, and shared values like multilateralism, adherence to international law, and backing the United Nations Charter.

Exchanges and interactions between the two countries in various fields, at different levels and scales are lively implemented and maintained in different forms in the new context. In recent meetings, senior leaders from both countries have reaffirmed their shared vision for the Vietnam-France strategic partnership in the new context, building on the established pillars of cooperation that are continuously being innovated and strengthened. Numerous significant milestones have been achieved in bolstering political trust and facilitating people-to-people exchanges; enhancing cooperation has led to qualitative and quantitative advancements in defense, security, economics, trade, investment, aviation, energy transformation, science and technology, culture, and engineering.

Amidst the fluctuation of global geopolitics and economics, Vietnam and France acknowledge the necessity to enhance dynamism in their foreign affairs and integration efforts. This is to devise adaptive strategies that safeguard mutual interests and promote the sustainable development of both nations.

Promote cooperation and people-to-people exchange

Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang emphasized the crucial role of the established and patriotic Vietnamese community in France in strengthening the interpersonal connections between the two countries. Utilizing their expertise and social status, they act as a strong bridge for cultural exchanges, collaborative projects, and communication efforts between Vietnam and France.

French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet. (Photo: French Embassy in Vietnam)

The French Ambassador to Vietnam, Olivier Brochet, has expressed optimism regarding the future of Vietnam-France cooperation. He highlighted that the relationship is not only robust and amicable but also growing in trust, marked by significant milestones like the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2023 and the visit from French Minister of the Army Sébastien Lecornu during the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory in May 2024.

The official visit by General Secretary and President To Lam to France is expected to pave the way for new cooperative ventures between the two nations. Specifically, there is considerable anticipation for collaboration in sectors like sustainable development, energy, and transportation, with a special focus on the railway industry, an area of French expertise.

Technology and innovation represent a promising field for collaboration. Numerous French companies are eager to share their expertise and transfer technology to Vietnamese counterparts, aiding in the advancement of both nations. Additionally, education is a key focus, with Vietnam and France poised to sign a bilateral agreement aimed at bolstering French language instruction in Vietnamese educational institutions, thereby elevating the standard of education and increasing the population of French-speaking individuals.

Ambassador Olivier Brochet hopes to increase people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, especially between the youth. He aspires for an increasing number of Vietnamese students to select France as their destination for studying abroad. This choice is not just for the sake of high-quality education but also to foster the sustainable growth of bilateral relations. Concurrently, the growing number of French students opting to study in Vietnam is a promising indicator of the strong cultural and academic bonds between the two nations.

Celebration of International Francophonie Day, March 20, 2024. (Photo: Nhan Dan Newspaper)

Cultural exchange has been a cornerstone of Vietnam-France relations. The celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties, themed "Sharing Culture," has underscored the collaborative efforts in this domain. It has facilitated the introduction of French cultural elements to Vietnam and supported the growth of Vietnam's cultural and creative sectors. A prime illustration of this is the collaboration between Ho Guom Opera and the Royal Theater of Versailles, which has paved the way for numerous prospects in the advancement of arts and creativity within Vietnam.

Significant cultural events like the Photo Hanoi'23 International Photography Festival drew close to 200,000 attendees and garnered 5 million social network followers, playing a key role in enhancing Vietnam's image and the field of photography. The anticipation is that Photo Hanoi'25 will uphold its status as a prominent international cultural event, providing a platform for young Vietnamese artists to showcase their skills and interact with artists from around the globe.

The visit of General Secretary and President To Lam to the French Republic signifies a milestone in the bilateral relations of the two nations. It serves not only as a chance to strengthen political trust and deepen the bond between their peoples but also heralds the beginning of a new era in strategic collaboration for peace, cooperation, and development both regionally and globally.

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