Strengthening cooperation between Vietnam and southern localities of France

Local leaders in the Hérault province of the Occitanie region (southern France) highly appreciated Vietnam's strong development steps and said that the two sides need to strengthen cooperation and friendship activities to promote each side's potential after upgrading to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2024.

During his visit from March 6-8 to Hérault province in the Occitanie region (southern France), Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang led a delegation of representatives from various agencies who held numerous discussions with local government representatives, met with businesses, visited the Barba Group's seafood processing plant, worked with Vietnamese lecturers and students studying at the IUT Béziers University of Technology, and met with the Vietnamese community.

In Béziers, one of the oldest towns in France and known as the "wine capital" of the Occitanie region, Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang met and worked with Mayor Robert Ménard, who is also the President of the Community of Béziers Méditerranée municipalities. The two sides discussed many important issues, from higher education to economic cooperation, from cultural exchange to tourism development.

Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang held discussions with the Mayor of Béziers, Robert Ménard, on issues related to higher education , economic cooperation, cultural exchange, and tourism development. (Photo: Khai Hoan)

Representatives from the Béziers city government also expressed their desire to strengthen cooperation in the field of tourism . Mayor Robert Ménard stated: Currently, there are a number of Vietnamese students studying and researching at higher education institutions in Béziers. They play a role not only as a bridge in the exchange of knowledge and research, but also as "ambassadors" to introduce Béziers to their friends and relatives, so that more Vietnamese and international tourists will visit France.

Mr. Robert Ménard expressed his desire to attract more Vietnamese students to study at the city's educational institutions, especially in fields such as automation and artificial intelligence. The two sides also discussed the potential for cooperation between local businesses and Vietnam, focusing on seafood processing and wine production.

During a meeting in the coastal town of Valras-Plage, the issues of coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion, and climate change were discussed between Mayor Daniel Ballester and Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang. Representatives from the Valras-Plage government expressed deep concern about coastal erosion, an urgent problem directly threatening the town's existence.

Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang also shared similar difficulties that Vietnam is facing, especially in the Mekong Delta region, where rising sea levels are seriously threatening agricultural production and people's lives.

The two sides discussed measures to address climate change, ranging from building seawalls and planting mangrove forests to collaborating with international experts to find sustainable solutions. Mayor Valras-Plage emphasized that climate change is a global issue, and that localities in France and Vietnam need to cooperate to find effective solutions.

Mr. Daniel Ballester, Mayor of Valras-Plage, presents a commemorative plaque to Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang. (Photo: MINH DUY)

Both sides also share common interests in economic development and strengthening friendly relations.

The Vietnamese Ambassador shared information about Vietnam's economic development achievements, as well as opportunities for economic cooperation between the two countries. Both sides discussed measures to enhance economic cooperation, particularly in the fields of tourism, agriculture, and renewable energy.

The meeting in the coastal town of Valras-Plage, whose economy relies heavily on the region's tourism potential, is a testament to the traditional friendship between Vietnam and France.

Thanking the Mayor and people of Valras-Plage for their warm welcome, Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang affirmed Vietnam's commitment to strengthening cooperation with France in all fields. The Mayor of Valras-Plage also expressed interest in establishing a sister city relationship with a locality in Vietnam that has similar conditions.

Mr. François Xavier Lauch, Governor of Hérault Province, highly appreciated the contributions of the Vietnamese community to the local economic development. (Photo: MINH DUY)

During the working visit, the meeting between the Governor of Hérault Province, François Xavier Lauch, and Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang provided an opportunity for both sides to reaffirm the deep and enduring friendship between Vietnam and France.

Governor François Xavier Lauch expressed his appreciation for the Vietnamese community living, studying, and working in the province for their many positive contributions to local development. He emphasized that the Vietnamese community has become an important bridge in the efforts to maintain and develop friendly relations between the two countries.

On this occasion, Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang expressed his sincere gratitude to the local leaders for their attention and support to the Vietnamese community. The Ambassador affirmed that the presence of the Vietnamese community in many provinces and cities in southern France, such as Marseille, Nice, and Montpellier, has made a significant impact by contributing to local economic development in particular and promoting bilateral cooperation in many fields in general.

The two sides focused their discussions on areas of mutual interest, including climate change response, education, seafood processing, economic exchange, and cultural exchange. Governor François Xavier Lauch affirmed that the historical ties, the dynamism of the two economies, and the shared responsibility in addressing common challenges create significant potential for cooperation between the two sides.

Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang expressed his interest in the faculty's curriculum, which includes Vietnamese students. (Photo: Khai Hoan)

Education and human resource training were among the key focuses of the visit to southern France. Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang had an important meeting and exchange with the IUT Béziers University of Technology.

The ambassador emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between educational institutions of the two countries, especially in the fields of information technology, artificial intelligence, automation, and international trade.

In order to promote and expand cooperation between Vietnam and France in the fields of education and scientific research, the Ambassador proposed expanding student and faculty exchange programs, as well as developing joint training programs between universities of the two countries.

During a meeting and exchange with approximately 20 local French businesses, Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang stated that Vietnam is currently an attractive destination for foreign investors, with its strategic location and dynamic economy. The Ambassador urged French businesses to increase investment in Vietnam, particularly in high-tech, renewable energy, and infrastructure sectors.

Barba Group's sockeye tuna products have a strong reputation in the restaurant industry. (Photo: MINH DUY)

Among them, the Barba Group, a family-owned business with nearly 100 years of history in the seafood industry, is asserting its leading position in France and expanding into international markets. Currently, this processing group is diversifying its products, expanding its operations to export seafood worldwide, and is particularly considering targeting the Vietnamese market in the future.

The visit and working trip to Hérault province highlighted the great interest and close ties of the French local government, businesses, and people. Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang and French local leaders agreed that the official visit of General Secretary and President To Lam to France in early October 2024 created crucial momentum for developing bilateral cooperation in many fields.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/tang-cuong-hop-tac-giua-viet-nam-va-cac-tinh-phia-nam-ch-phap-post863941.html