(VNF) - A former topnotch diplomat who is the first Vietnamese ambassador to France is to be honored with a French order for his notable endeavors to cement the two countries’ ties.

The French Embassy in Vietnam announced on Thursday that French Ambassador to Vietnam Jean - Noel Poirier, on behalf of the Republic of France, will present a National Order of Merit with the highest rank to Vo Van Sung in Hanoi on Saturday.

Sung is the Southeast Asian country’s first ambassador in France.

Vo Van Sung (Center), Vietnam's first ambassador to France, is pictured receiving a certificate of merit in 2010. Photo: VNA.

The honor is meant to recognize Sung’s fruitful political career and his integral role in building the two countries’ ties.

Sung is one of the main architects who help forge and develop Vietnam and France’s diplomatic relations in the past 50 years, the French Embassy said in a release.

Sung was also chair of the Vietnam-France Friendship Association.

Sung proposed France’s capital be chosen as the venue to the historic peace negotiation with the U.S.

He was also among the five Vietnamese official members who joined the Paris Convention signing ceremony in 1973.

The seasoned diplomat then resumed his political career in France and became Vietnam’s first ambassador to the European country in 1974.

Upon returning to his home country, he worked as assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and chair of the Vietnam-France Friendship Association until his retirement in 1993.

The National Order of Merit is an Order of State awarded by the President of the French Republic.

It was founded in December 1963 by President Charles de Gaulle./.

by VNF