The French Ambassador and the Vietnamese New Year

Celebrating the traditional Lunar New Year in Vietnam for the third time, French Ambassador Olivier Brochet shared interesting insights and experiences about this major Vietnamese holiday.

Touched by the meaning of Vietnamese Tet (Lunar New Year).

Wearing a traditional Vietnamese ao dai, the French Ambassador to Vietnam, Olivier Brochet, chose to visit the Temple of Literature - National University during the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026 to learn about Vietnamese culture and express his admiration for the Vietnamese people's tradition of valuing education and respecting teachers.

French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet experiences calligraphy at the Temple of Literature - National University. (Photo: Kieu Giang)

Choosing "Vietnam's first university" as his destination ahead of the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Horse, the French Ambassador expressed his admiration for the historical values ​​and rich cultural traditions of Vietnam embodied there. Ambassador Olivier Brochet had the opportunity to learn about the historical Hương, Hội, and Đình examinations, and toured the reconstructed model of the ancient scholar's examination tents at Văn Miếu-Quốc Tử Giám.

Ambassador Olivier Brochet offered incense at the shrine of Teacher Chu Van An, learned about and directly experienced calligraphy – a beautiful cultural tradition during the Lunar New Year in Vietnam. The Ambassador also visited the calligraphy exhibition and the exhibition area themed "Horses Returning to the City" to celebrate the Year of the Horse 2026, and beat the thunder drum within the grounds of the Temple of Literature.

He also expressed his emotion at the friendly relations between the people of the two countries. According to him, the humanistic foundation, stemming from mutual affection and empathy, is the most solid basis for the two countries to move towards a sustainable common future. Despite the ups and downs in history, it is precisely these experiences that have created strong bonds between the two nations.

On the occasion of the Lunar New Year 2026 (Year of the Horse), the Ambassador extended wishes for health, success, and happiness to the people and country of Vietnam; and expressed confidence in a bright future for relations between the two countries.

The calligrapher from the Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam Cultural and Scientific Activities Center wrote a calligraphic artwork titled "Peace" as a gift for Ambassador Olivier Brochet.

Believing in Vietnam's development

Congratulating the success of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam , the French Ambassador expressed confidence in Vietnam's development and affirmed France's readiness to cooperate and accompany Vietnam on its development path. The French diplomat hoped that relations between the two countries would continue to develop strongly in the future.

Ambassador Olivier Brochet speaks to the press on the occasion of the Lunar New Year 2026. (Photo: Kieu Giang)

After 40 years of implementing reforms, Vietnam's achievements today are enormous, leaving a deep impression on international friends. The Ambassador said that since beginning his term in Vietnam (September 2023), he has always felt the admiration and awe of French tourists when they visit Vietnam.

Looking back at 2025, Ambassador Olivier Brochet noted that it will be a landmark year in bilateral relations between Vietnam and France, highlighted by the State visit to Vietnam by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife in May 2025. On this occasion, the two countries launched the “France-Vietnam Innovation Year”. With many science and technology events taking place over the past year, the French Ambassador expressed confidence in the potential for cooperation between the two countries in this field; and stated that France is ready to support Vietnam's ongoing efforts in areas such as energy transition, innovation, science and technology, and railway transport.

Ambassador Olivier Brochet shared his expectation that in 2026, cooperation between France and Vietnam will continue to be strongly promoted, building on the projects and initiatives that both sides have implemented in 2025.

The French diplomat also expressed confidence that bilateral relations between France and Vietnam will contribute to stability and peace in the world. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and especially as the rotating chair of the G7 in 2026, France will be able to work alongside Vietnam and other countries to contribute to strengthening global institutions and international organizations, ensuring that international law is respected, and contributing to global stability.

Ambassador Olivier Brochet beats the Thunder Drum at the Temple of Literature - National University. (Photo: Kieu Giang)

According to Ambassador Olivier Brochet, the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026 takes place in a special context as Vietnam joyfully celebrates the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. "The 14th Congress has set ambitious goals for the country's development in the coming period. I believe that all leaders, as well as every Vietnamese citizen, will contribute to that success. And as the French Ambassador to Vietnam, I affirm France's support in achieving these ambitious goals for Vietnam," Ambassador Olivier Brochet emphasized.

KIEU GIANG (Nhan Dan Newspaper)

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/dai-su-phap-va-tet-viet-nam-a477136.html