The reason why the French President visited Vietnam first in his Southeast Asia tour

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron will begin a state visit to Vietnam tomorrow at the invitation of President Luong Cuong.

Mr. Macron is on a trip to three Southeast Asian countries: Vietnam, Indonesia and Singapore.

French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet said this is an important visit in the relationship between France and Vietnam.

The Southeast Asia tour is part of the Indo- Pacific strategy launched by France in 2018, demonstrating France's strong desire and commitment to its partners in the region for stability and development.

The French President wishes to visit Vietnam first, demonstrating the very special relationship between France and Vietnam.

French President Macron in meetings with General Secretary To Lam in October 2024 and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in November 2021. Photo: Minh Nhat, Nhat Bac

Last October, during General Secretary To Lam 's visit to France, the two countries upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Priorities during the visit

After seven months, President Emmanuel Macron's visit demonstrates the importance and strong commitment of French senior leaders to strengthening and developing relations with Vietnam, bringing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into reality and effectiveness.

"We hope that from the visit and on the basis of a trusted partnership, the two countries will strongly strengthen relations in all areas from politics, to economics, scientific research, education, culture, defense... We also believe that the upcoming high-level meeting is an opportunity to further promote the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between France and Vietnam..." - The French Ambassador expressed.

The French President will have meetings with senior Vietnamese leaders and a number of other activities, including a working session with the Hanoi University of Science and Technology (Vietnam - France University).

French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet. Photo: The Son

The President will meet with students of the university and Vietnamese students participating in French training programs. Mr. Macron will deliver a speech to Vietnamese youth, emphasizing bilateral relations as well as the future of the partnership, including mentioning the role of the younger generation...

Many ministers will accompany the President, including the Minister of Economy and Finance and the Minister of the Army. This is an opportunity for the ministers to meet with Vietnamese partners, discuss and promote a number of cooperation projects in economics, defense and security.

Ambassador Olivier Brochet said that an important topic of attention during the visit was the ways for France to accompany and support Vietnam in implementing the energy transition process.

An important document is expected to be signed between the French Development Agency (AFD) and the National Electricity Transmission Corporation to build a power transmission line. This project is part of France's support to Vietnam to implement the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

The two leaders are also expected to discuss global issues and challenges. In June, France will host the United Nations Ocean Summit in Nice. Vietnam will send a high-level delegation to attend the event.

The Ambassador affirmed that the French President’s visit is an opportunity to affirm the strong development in the relationship between the two countries, as well as the desire to bring that relationship to a new height. This is an opportunity for both sides to be determined to build a modern, dynamic partnership with a structure and respect for each other’s interests and sovereignty.

The core of the relationship is still people-to-people exchange.

Commenting on the potential, Ambassador Olivier Brochet said that energy - including nuclear energy, transportation, high technology, and artificial intelligence (AI) are areas in which France wishes to prioritize cooperation with Vietnam.

"These are areas that meet Vietnam's needs and qualifications. The French side is particularly interested in the vision that Vietnam has put forward, especially strategic infrastructure development projects, such as high-speed railways. This is also an area where many French businesses have strengths," said the Ambassador.

On this occasion, a special event will be held in Ho Chi Minh City on May 27, which is the French Tech Summit Vietnam 2025. The event is expected to attract about 1,500 Vietnamese and French delegates, including policy makers, business leaders, investors, startups and technology experts. The event is expected to open a period of deeper cooperation in the field of technology and innovation between Vietnam and France.

The French Ambassador said that when it comes to bilateral relations, there will be many areas to discuss, from politics, economics, to culture, education..., but whether looking at it in the short or long term, the core is still the relationship between the people of the two countries and the two nations.

French Ambassador visits Hanoi University of Pharmacy - a school that retains its ancient French architecture despite being hundreds of years old. Photo: Pham Hai

Over the past 50 years, people-to-people exchange has grown, with many students studying in France returning to work in Vietnam, creating a bridge connecting the two countries and two peoples.

"In nearly two years of serving as French Ambassador to Vietnam, I am pleased to see many delegations from French research institutions visiting Vietnam and vice versa... Such visits are an opportunity for the two sides to connect and increase relations between French and Vietnamese officials and personnel, contributing to strengthening bilateral relations," he said.

France not only wants to organize cultural events but more importantly, it wants to cooperate to develop the cultural and creative industries in Vietnam. This is demonstrated through France's support for organizing major festivals such as the Hue Festival over the past 20 years.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/ly-do-tong-thong-phap-tham-viet-nam-dau-tien-trong-chuyen-cong-du-dong-nam-a-2404344.html