Meeting to discuss cooperation content between Lao Cai province and Nouvelle Aquitaine region (France) for the period 2025

On the morning of May 31st, following participation in working sessions commemorating 20 years of cooperation between Lao Cai province (Vietnam) and the Nouvelle Aquitaine region (France), a meeting was held at the headquarters of the Nouvelle Aquitaine Regional Council (France) between the Lao Cai provincial delegation and project leaders and staff (France) to outline cooperation contents for the 2025-2027 period.

Attending the meeting were: Passcal Duforeste, Vice President of the Nouvelle Aquitaine Regional Council; Jean Michel Arrivé, Director of the region's international cooperation department; Carine Vernhes, European Commissioner for International Affairs; and project coordinators.

Representing Lao Cai province were: Mr. Hoang Giang, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Ms. Ly Thi Vinh, Member of the Standing Committee and Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Mass Mobilization Department; Ms. Giang Thi Dung, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; and other members of the delegation.

At the meeting, delegates watched a documentary about the results of cooperation activities between Lao Cai province (Vietnam) and the Nouvelle Aquitaine region (Republic of France); listened to Ms. Pascale Maitreau, project officer, present a report on the results and difficulties and challenges in the implementation of cooperation contents; and proposed cooperation contents for the period 2025 - 2027.

Next, the two sides focused on discussing, analyzing, and evaluating cooperation in the following areas: ecological agriculture (Ideas Project); biodiversity observation and environmental education; adventure sports and tourism products; conservation and promotion of local heritage; the Francophone community and vocational training.

The delegation from Lao Cai province attended the meeting.

In addition, discussions focused on four areas of cooperation for the period 2025-2027 (protecting and promoting the value of cultural and natural heritage; training and developing human resources; researching, developing and promoting tourism and adventure sports products; food safety, ecological agriculture and forestry), as well as other issues of mutual interest, such as: supporting salmon farming and egg incubation in Sa Pa; cooperation in the fields of medicine and medicinal herbs; supporting the training of medical personnel; and providing consultancy for the development of festivals related to river and water themes, etc.

Speaking at the meeting, Comrade Hoang Giang, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, expressed gratitude for the responsible assistance, support, and cooperation from the French Government and the Nouvelle Aquitaine Regional Council. He also suggested that both sides work together to discuss and agree on solutions to overcome difficulties and find common ground to improve the quality of cooperation. The visit, working sessions with local authorities and partners in the region, and participation in experiential activities left a very special impression on the delegation.

On behalf of the Nouvelle Aquitaine Regional Council, Mr. Passcal Duforeste, Vice President of the Council, affirmed that the cooperation between the two sides in culture, tourism, education, and environmental protection has been basically implemented with relatively good, sustainable, and appropriate results. The Vice President of the Nouvelle Aquitaine Regional Council also highly agreed with the cooperation contents for the 2025-2027 period and suggested that both sides continue to accelerate the progress and improve the quality of cooperation.

Leaders of the Nouvelle Aquitaine Regional Council and project staff (Republic of France).

At the meeting, both sides agreed to expedite the process of finding new partners for new areas related to healthcare, herbal medicine, salmon farming, and the organization of festivals, architectural planning, and urban development. Both sides also agreed to task their respective advisory agencies with finalizing the Draft Cooperation Agreement for the period 2025-2027 in order to proceed with the signing of the formal agreement.

At the end of the meeting, Comrade Hoang Giang, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, on behalf of the Lao Cai provincial delegation, presented a commemorative gift from the Nouvelle Aquitaine region, successfully concluding the working trip to the Republic of France ( photo above ).

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