Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang.

According to Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang, the upgrading of Vietnam-France relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in October 2024 is a historic event, marking a great milestone after more than 50 years of establishing diplomatic relations and 10 years of Strategic Partnership. This upgrade has created an important foundation for promoting the relationship between the two countries to continue to develop strongly, deeply and effectively.

Specifically, in the political -diplomatic field, the Ambassador said: "Exchanges between the two countries have increased and become closer, cooperation mechanisms have been expanded such as the organization of the first Ocean Dialogue between the two Foreign Ministries". In particular, in the context of a volatile world, the two countries have been further strengthening coordination and cooperation on global issues, such as at the Artificial Intelligence Summit in Paris (February 2025), the Summit of the Partnership for Green Growth and the Global Goals (P4G - April 2025) and the upcoming United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice (June 2025).

Regarding the field of defense and security, Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang assessed that this continues to be considered an important pillar in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, demonstrating the strategic trust between the two countries. A clear demonstration of this is the recent visit to Ho Chi Minh City of the multi-mission frigate Provence of the French aircraft carrier task force visiting the region (March 2025), "demonstrating the continuation of exchanges between the two countries in the spirit of working together to contribute to peace and ensure security and freedom of navigation in the region, in accordance with international law".

Referring to the economic and trade field, Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang acknowledged the increasing interest from French partners and businesses in cooperation with Vietnam. The French Development Agency (AFD) is promoting many new projects with Vietnam, including projects related to clean energy development and ensuring energy security for Vietnam. Many delegations of French businesses and economic ministries, including the French Minister of Transport, have come to Vietnam to discuss and explore cooperation possibilities in Vietnam's leading strategies and projects on energy, infrastructure and transport. Notably, the bilateral trade turnover between the two countries in 2024 recorded an impressive growth of 11%, reaching more than 5.4 billion USD.

Regarding medical cooperation, Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang assessed that this cooperative relationship is increasingly affirming its important role and becoming a bright spot in the Vietnam-France relationship, with the promotion of cooperation in the production of a number of vaccines in Vietnam between the VNVC Vaccination Center and the Sanofi Group being carried out right after the two countries officially upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

In addition, cooperation between localities also continues to have new connections. In February 2025, Da Nang city and Le Havre city officially signed an agreement to promote cooperation in areas such as seaport development, ecological transition, and digital innovation. Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang also added that Vietnam and France are also promoting preparations for the 13th Conference on Cooperation between Localities scheduled to be held in 2026 in France.

When asked about the role of the Vietnamese community in France, Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang affirmed: "The Vietnamese community in France, with a long history of formation and development, always attached to and oriented towards the Fatherland, continues to play an extremely important role as a solid bridge in the current relationship between the two countries. The success and position of the Vietnamese community in France is also a testament to the special relationship between the two countries, and is one of the important factors bringing the Vietnam - France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into depth and practicality".

Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang also emphasized the special role of overseas intellectuals who are focusing on contributing and advising on the country's development strategies, especially in areas where Vietnamese intellectuals have held significant positions and our country is in great need of, such as clean energy, nuclear power, semiconductors, quantum, modern transport infrastructure, specialized biomedicine, etc.

Referring to the favorable factors for the development of Vietnam-France relations, the Ambassador analyzed four main factors. Firstly, the new factor from upgrading the bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic level is opening up a wider and deeper space for cooperation, focusing on priority and strategic areas, in line with the interests and potentials of both Vietnam and France. High-level exchanges and at different levels between the two countries are continuing to facilitate the implementation and exploitation of this political determination.

Second, in a world that is undergoing many changes, the two countries continue to share a similar vision on many important issues. That is, to strengthen cooperation to bring about common prosperity; that is, to jointly pursue sustainable development goals; that is, to make efforts to respond to global challenges such as climate change, non-traditional security; that is, to promote multilateralism, maintain peace, and respect international law.

Third, the two countries continue to have many strengths to interact, facilitate and support each other in implementing development strategies and enhancing the position of each country. French enterprises and corporations have strengths in high technology, energy, infrastructure, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and aerospace, while Vietnam has a potential domestic market, abundant human resources and is deeply integrating into the global value chain.

Fourth, all traditional factors are still truly important foundations for maintaining and strengthening relations between the two countries, from the historical sharing and profound cultural exchange, from the closeness and mutual understanding between the two peoples, to the active activities of the Vietnamese community and Vietnamese friends in France...

Besides the advantages, Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang also frankly pointed out the challenges: "Vietnam - France relations are being placed in an international environment dominated by diverse and intertwined challenges, requiring both countries to make persistent efforts to orient and pursue the identified areas of cooperation. Both countries are also facing new requirements for development as well as position, so it is necessary to constantly innovate and improve the quality of cooperation...".

To overcome these challenges, Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang proposed four specific solutions. First, enhance dialogue and mutual understanding. The two sides need to promote delegation exchanges at all levels, effectively maintain bilateral dialogue channels in many areas such as diplomacy, defense, security, economy, science and technology, etc. This will help promptly resolve difficulties, strengthen political trust and better understand each country's priorities within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Second, focus on potential, complementary and strategic areas of cooperation. According to the Ambassador, the two sides should prioritize cooperation in areas where both have strengths and needs, especially pillar areas or areas with high growth potential such as high technology, clean energy and nuclear energy, digital transformation, healthcare, education and strategic infrastructure. Third, promote various policy supports, from the impact of improving the investment and business environment and removing common bottlenecks in Vietnam today to France demonstrating its position to support Vietnam in accessing international financial and technological resources necessary for development. Fourth, continue to mobilize the role of all components in the multi-level relationship of Vietnam - France, in which there is not only the responsibility of ministries and branches but also the enthusiasm of the business communities of the two countries, industry associations, the Vietnamese community and friends, and different levels of government in France.

Regarding the upcoming visit of the French President, Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang commented: "The upcoming visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Vietnam is an event of special significance for bilateral relations, especially after the two countries upgraded to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The visit demonstrates the importance and strong commitment of French senior leaders to consolidating and developing relations with Vietnam, bringing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into reality and effectiveness. This is a great opportunity for the leaders of the two countries to agree on new steps to concretize the frameworks set out in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership."

Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang affirmed: "Many specific fields and projects are being discussed in depth by the two sides to promote economic - trade - investment priorities, strengthen defense - security cooperation, innovation, science and technology, education and training, and health. The signing of new cooperation agreements within the framework of the visit will create an important driving force and legal basis for cooperation activities between the two countries in the coming years."

According to baotintuc.vn

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/chinh-tri-xa-hoi/quan-he-doi-tac-chien-luoc-toan-dien-viet-phap-mo-ra-khong-giant-hop-tac-rong-lon-hon-153876.html