Vietnam News Today (May 27): Vietnam Treasures Multifaceted Collaboration with France

	Vietnam News Today (May 25): Vietnam, Serbia Hold Political Consultation
	Vietnam News Today (May 26): Vietnam Attends ASEAN Meetings for Promoting Regional Cooperation

Party General Secretary To Lam (R) receives French President Emmanuel Macron in Hanoi on May 26. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam treasures multifaceted collaboration with France: Party chief

Vietnam values and wishes to strengthen multifaceted cooperation with France – its first comprehensive strategic partner in the EU, Party General Secretary To Lam affirmed on May 26 while receiving French President Emmanuel Macron, who is on a three-day state visit to Vietnam.

Lam said that the visit holds particularly important significance, affirming both sides’ strong determination to implement concrete outcomes of the Vietnam-France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Vietnam supports France in playing an important role and having a strong voice in the region and the world, including at international forums and organisations, he stated, proposing both countries continue to promote their shared advantages to harmoniously address regional and global issues.

Macron expressed his pleasure at making his first state visit to Vietnam—a partner with an important role and position in France’s Indo-Pacific strategy. He emphasized that the Vietnam–France relationship is a special one, shaped by various historical phases and now built on a foundation of strong mutual trust and respect.

Recognizing the Vietnam-France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as a highlight amidst rapidly evolving and complex global developments, the two leaders held an in-depth exchange on all areas of bilateral cooperation since the elevation of ties in October 2024. They expressed satisfaction with the significant progress made in recent times, particularly in the fields of economy and trade, high-level exchanges, and mutual support at international and regional forums. The leaders affirmed their continued priority in promoting cooperation in politics and diplomacy, defence and security, including cybersecurity, economy and trade, maritime economy, development cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges, particularly in culture, education, and training. They also agreed to advance the signing of key cooperation agreements across various sectors.

Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in energy transition, with France supporting Vietnam within the framework of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP); and expand collaboration into nuclear energy, human resources training, and the peaceful use of atomic energy, such as in the healthcare sector.

General Secretary Lam suggested France accompany Vietnam in making science and technology a new pillar of bilateral cooperation in the current era. He also called on France to support Vietnam in strategic areas such as aerospace, biotechnology, digital technology, semiconductors, quantum technology, the digital economy, and high-quality human resources training.

They highlighted the importance of enhancing cooperation in areas where both sides see great potential, France holds strengths and Vietnam has growing needs, such as strategic infrastructure, urban transportation, and railways, to meet the objectives of Vietnam's new era of national development and prosperity, cited VNA.

President Macron emphasized that France always wishes to strengthen cooperation across all sectors with Vietnam, especially in strategic areas like economy and trade, security and defence, science and technology, culture, education, and health care, in line with the nature and stature of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Macron appreciated Vietnam's international commitments at multilateral institutions, particularly in key areas such as sustainable development, environmental protection, emissions reduction, and climate change adaptation. He stressed France’s support for multilateralism, including multilateral trade, and affirmed that his country is ready to support and accompany Vietnam in implementing these commitments.

The two leaders agreed to cooperate in preserving and promoting cultural values through the sharing of experience in heritage conservation, museum operations, cinema arts, collaboration and support in sharing materials on Vietnamese cultural heritage, as well as training professional artists and performers.

Building on the long-standing tradition of cooperation, both sides also consented to promote collaboration in the health sector, particularly in vaccine research, early screening technologies for serious diseases, and the application of science and technology in medical treatment, aiming to ensure public health.

On this occasion, they exchanged views on many international issues of mutual concern, and agreed on the need to solve conflicts through dialogue. They called on countries in the region to fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and support all regional efforts to soon achieve a Code of Conduct (COC) that is truly effective, substantive and consistent with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); and promote cooperation in UN peacekeeping operations, search and rescue, combating organized crime, transnational crime, and cybercrime.

The two sides reached a consensus on strengthening Vietnam-France cooperation in line with the interests of the two countries, supporting the promotion of Vietnam-EU and France-ASEAN relations, and continuing to coordinate in promoting multilateralism, and building a fair and democratic international system based on international law with the central role of the United Nations.

Vietnam promotes national brand identity at EXPO 2025 Osaka

Vietnam National Brand Week opened on May 26 at World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, spotlighting the country’s image as a nation of innovation and global integration.

Organized under the Vietnam National Brand Program by the Government, the event is led by the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade), in coordination with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and other relevant bodies. It focuses on building and promoting national brands and Vietnamese trademarks.

World Expo 2025, one of the world’s three largest international events, is taking place from April 13 to October 13 on Yumeshima Island in Osaka. This year’s edition gathers 158 countries and international organisations under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” The expo offers a major platform for countries to present their national identity, affirm their global standing, and strengthen international cooperation.

Vietnam’s participation includes a dedicated week-long program at the Vietnam Exhibition House, underscoring the country’s commitment to innovation, creativity, and deep integration, according to VOV.

Vietnamese ceramics draw attention at the event (Photo: VNA)

A central feature is a curated display of products bearing the Vietnam National Brand label. These goods, selected for their quality, innovation, and pioneering character, span diverse sectors including ceramics, textiles, construction materials, mechanical engineering, and interior design.

Beyond product promotion, the event is also a chance to raise the international profile of Vietnamese enterprises, encourage trade and investment, and boost tourism, especially in Japan, a key export destination and comprehensive strategic partner of Vietnam.

An extensive communications campaign is also being rolled out across multiple channels, from print and digital media to on-site promotional materials, to amplify the visibility of Vietnamese brands on the global stage.

Through this initiative, the Vietnamese Government aims to reaffirm its long-term vision of building a dynamic, innovative economy that contributes actively to sustainable global development. The event runs through June 1.

AIIB Chairman lauds Vietnam’s robust development

President and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Jin Liqun expressed his strong admiration for Vietnam's reform trajectory and robust economic development during a meeting with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son on May 26.

At the event, held on the sidelines of the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Malaysia, Deputy PM Son congratulated AIIB on its 10th anniversary milestone while emphasizing the bank's critical role in advancing sustainable development and regional connectivity initiatives, including those benefiting Vietnam. He called on the bank to prioritise cooperation and investment in several key areas aligned with the region's evolving development needs.

He specifically highlighted the urgent need for cross-border connectivity infrastructure, green infrastructure development, sustainable growth initiatives, and climate change adaptation measures. He called on AIIB to consider allocating preferential capital resources for technical assistance and project financing to support developing nations across the region.

The Vietnamese Government gives high priority to investment in innovation, science – technology, and infrastructure development, with particular emphasis on road and railway networks, Son noted, asking for AIIB's active support in mobilising resources for major infrastructure projects that will define Vietnam's development in the new era, VNA reported.

At the meeting between Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and President and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank on May 26 (Photo: VNA)

Jin affirmed that AIIB stands ready to provide diverse financial instruments for key infrastructure projects in Vietnam, especially road and railway projects with spillover effects to enhance regional connectivity.

He also shared his interest in potential Vietnamese projects spanning renewable energy, health care, and climate adaptation.

Both sides agreed to step up discussions through various frameworks to promote cooperation and contribute to Vietnam's sustainable development and broader regional progress.

Enhancing presence of Vietnamese goods in ASEAN market is essential

As Vietnam’s export turnover has yet to fully reflect its potential within the ASEAN region, enhancing the presence of Vietnamese goods and seizing opportunities in this market is essential, particularly amid tariff fluctuations.

This issue demands greater attention from businesses, along with a proactive and flexible approach to market access, deep market understanding and the ability to overcome trade barriers.

Vietnam’s Trade Office in Singapore recently encouraged Vietnamese businesses to participate in Retail’s Big Show APAC 2025, which will take place in Singapore early next month.

The event provides opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises to connect with potential customers and top retailers, while also exploring new trends in retail, ranging from enhancing customer experience to digital transformation strategies.

In light of Vietnam becoming the fourth-largest seafood supplier to Singapore, the trade office also announced ongoing efforts to promote trade connections between Vietnamese and Singaporean seafood businesses.

These efforts include participating in seafood exhibitions and trade fairs to increase the visibility of Vietnamese products in Singapore and help companies expand their market share.

The trade office also advised Vietnamese seafood exporters to maintain high quality standards, stay updated on local regulations, improve packaging designs and boost productivity to remain competitive with products from other countries in the region.

Guidance and support are crucial for Vietnamese enterprises looking to deepen their presence in Singapore specifically, and the ASEAN region more broadly — especially amid global trade instability caused by shifting US tariffs.

As of the first four months of this year, Vietnam’s exports to Thailand reached US$2.67 billion, a modest increase of 1.4% year-over-year.

Meanwhile, imports from Thailand surged to over US$4.2 billion, an 18.5% rise. Thailand is currently Vietnam’s largest export market within ASEAN, accounting for more than 20% of Vietnam’s total ASEAN export turnover, followed by Indonesia and the Philippines.

Key exports to Thailand include machinery and equipment, electronics and components, phones and parts, crude oil and vehicles, cited VOV.

ASEAN ranks as Vietnam’s fourth-largest export market after the US, China and the EU. (Photo: mekongasean.vn)

At a seminar in Ho Chi Minh City last week, a representative of Central Retail Vietnam Group said that the company was promoting lychee exports to Thailand as the harvest season approached.

In mid-May, Vietnam’s Trade Office in the Philippines provided an update on the trade relationship between the two countries, noting that Vietnam still has plenty of room to expand its exports to the Philippines.

Agricultural products represent a significant opportunity. Despite similarities in the agricultural profiles of both countries, they are not direct competitors. Vietnam has a comparative advantage in various subtropical fruits and seafood strains that have not yet been exported to the Philippines.

Aside from rice, the Philippines has strong demand for many types of Vietnamese agricultural products, particularly fresh produce. However, some sectors remain untapped due to trade and logistics barriers.

Moreover, light industrial products, fertilizers, chemicals, tools, machinery, electrical and household appliances, heavy industry products and construction materials also have growth potential in the Philippine market.

Vietnamese exporters should also be aware of the market’s challenges and risks, and adopt appropriate marketing and market entry strategies to ensure success.

Despite these individual market opportunities, Vietnam’s overall export performance in the ASEAN region still falls short of its potential.

According to the latest data from Vietnam’s Department of Customs, from the beginning of this year to May 15, exports to ASEAN reached US$12.42 billion, an increase of just 3.2% year-over-year, or US$389 million.

ASEAN ranks as Vietnam’s fourth-largest export market after the US, China and the EU.

To boost export turnover and the presence of Vietnamese products in ASEAN, it is vital for Vietnamese businesses to show greater interest and capitalize on opportunities in this regional market.

Building consumer trust and brand credibility is also crucial. Vietnamese exporters must work hard to change ASEAN consumers’ perception of Vietnamese goods and distinguish them from competitors.

Vietnam calls on ASEAN to give top priority to community building

Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son called on ASEAN Member States to continue standing side by side, giving the highest priority to the process of community building.

Bui made the above remarks at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the meeting of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Commission, the 29th ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting, and the 36th ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting, which took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on May 25.

According to the Vietnamese official, the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, along with new cooperation strategies, will serve as the framework for the bloc to act collectively and adapt proactively for mutual development.

ASEAN needs to strengthen its autonomy and resilience, especially economic resilience, to withstand external shocks, he said, adding that the bloc's external relations should pursue a consistent and focused approach in accordance with its long-term strategic priorities.

Bui expressed his hope that countries will advocate and join the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, scheduled to take place in Hanoi in October this year.

He suggested ASEAN should develop a Declaration on enhancing the effectiveness of cooperation in the pursuit of wanted criminals, with an aim to gradually position ASEAN as a model in combating transnational crime, cited VGP.

Participants to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 25, 2025.

At these meetings, ASEAN foreign ministers exchanged views and reaffirmed ASEAN's principled stance on international and regional issues.

They spoke highly of ASEAN's prompt support to Myanmar following the earthquake disaster, calling on all relevant parties in Myanmar to end the violence, engage in dialogue, and work together on relief efforts and long-term recovery and reconstruction.

Bui urged ASEAN to seek new approaches and measures to more effectively implement the Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar.

He hailed the efforts of Timor-Leste, reaffirming Vietnam's support for Timor-Leste's early accession to ASEAN.

The occasion, Bui had meetings with Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines Enrique Manalo, Brunei's Second Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato Erywan Yusof and had a working session with Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia Prak Sokhonn, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos Thongsavanh Phomvihane.

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