Brian Jeffrey
The official state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron to Vietnam is set to commence tomorrow, following an invitation from President Luong Cuong.
This trip is part of a broader tour that will also take them to Indonesia and Singapore.
French Ambassador to Vietnam, Olivier Brochet, remarked that this visit marks an important milestone in the relationship between France and Vietnam.
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This Southeast Asia tour supports France’s Indo-Pacific strategy introduced in 2018, showcasing its dedication to fostering stability and development through regional collaboration.
The choice to begin in Vietnam highlights the distinctive and strong bond shared by the two nations.
During General Secretary To Lam’s visit to France last October, both countries upgraded their association to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Seven months later, Macron’s upcoming trip illustrates France’s commitment to enhancing and solidifying its collaboration with Vietnam, with the goal of making the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership both practical and effective.
“We aspire that this visit, grounded in mutual trust, will enhance our bilateral relationship across various sectors including politics, economy, science, education, culture, and defense. We believe that the forthcoming high-level meetings will further elevate the France-Vietnam partnership,” Ambassador Brochet expressed.
President Macron plans to engage with Vietnam’s top leadership and take part in several activities, including a work session at the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (the Vietnam-France University).
He will interact with university students as well as Vietnamese students undergoing French training programs. Macron is set to address the youth of Vietnam, focusing on the future of their relations and the crucial role younger individuals play.
Several ministers, such as the Minister of Economy and Finance and the Minister of the Armed Forces, will accompany Macron. Their aim is to engage with Vietnamese counterparts to further joint initiatives regarding economics, defense, and security.
A central focus of this visit is France’s backing for Vietnam’s energy transition. A significant agreement is anticipated between the French Development Agency (AFD) and Vietnam’s National Power Transmission Corporation to establish a new transmission line, supporting Vietnam’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).
Discussions will also encompass global issues and challenges. Vietnam is expected to send a high-level delegation to the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, hosted by France this June.
The French Ambassador confirmed that this trip underscores the vigorous development of bilateral relations and both countries’ commitment to enhancing their partnership, establishing a modern relationship rooted in respect and sovereignty.
Regarding prospective collaborations, Ambassador Brochet pointed out energy (including nuclear), transportation, advanced technology, and artificial intelligence as priorities for France with Vietnam.
“These sectors align with Vietnam’s needs and capabilities. France is particularly interested in Vietnam’s vision for strategic infrastructure, especially areas like high-speed rail where French firms excel,” he noted.
On May 27, a significant event, the French Tech Summit Vietnam 2025, will take place in Ho Chi Minh City, anticipated to draw 1,500 attendees from both countries, including policymakers, business figures, investors, startups, and tech specialists. The aim is to usher in a new era of cooperation in technology and innovation between France and Vietnam.
Ambassador Brochet emphasized that while the bilateral ties encompass politics, economy, culture, and education, the cornerstone of their relationship remains its people-to-people connections.
Over the past five decades, the exchange of cultural and educational experiences has thrived, with many Vietnamese who studied in France returning to act as vital links between the two nations.
“During my nearly two-year tenure as French Ambassador to Vietnam, I have enjoyed facilitating regular visits between French research institutions and their Vietnamese counterparts. These interactions help solidify relations between personnel from both countries,” he stated.
France is dedicated not only to hosting cultural initiatives but also to jointly developing Vietnam’s creative and cultural sectors, exemplified by its 20-year support for major events like the Hue Festival.
