Brian Jeffrey
The official trip of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President To Lam to Mongolia, Ireland, and France, including his attendance at the Francophonie Summit, has successfully concluded, with the host nations organizing numerous special arrangements.
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President To Lam and his delegation have returned to Hanoi after a series of official visits, including trips to Mongolia, Ireland, the Francophonie Summit, and France.
During this busy schedule, Mr. To Lam participated in nearly 80 activities, with 22 in Mongolia, 18 in Ireland, and 36 in France.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son noted several significant milestones during the trip. It was the first state visit to Mongolia in 16 years, the first to Ireland in almost 30 years, and the first visit to France in 22 years. Additionally, this was the first time the President attended the Francophonie Summit.
Bui Thanh Son emphasized the success of the visit and its notable achievements.
The leaders and officials from the host countries warmly welcomed President To Lam, showcasing their respect and the special preparations made for the Vietnamese delegation. This reflects the high regard these nations have for Vietnam and the solid political trust shared between them.
Particularly, French President Emmanuel Macron extended special honors to President To Lam amid the Francophonie Summit’s many delegations, exceeding typical ceremonial protocols.
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This trip signifies a proactive approach in Vietnam’s foreign policy as the nation embraces a new chapter, making notable advancements internationally.
During these visits, three historic joint declarations were signed: a Comprehensive Partnership with Mongolia, a Strategic Partnership in higher education with Ireland, and the elevation of Vietnam-France ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The agreements included nearly 20 cooperation initiatives—seven with Mongolia, three with Ireland, and close to ten with France.
Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son mentioned that this visit opened avenues for collaboration across various sectors with the host nations.
A key highlight was the announcement of Vietnam’s plans to set up an embassy in Ireland, facilitating enhanced bilateral relations and addressing the needs of the Vietnamese community there.
Regarding the elevation of Vietnam-France relations, Deputy Prime Minister Son heralded it as a significant step forward, strengthening political trust and furthering mutual benefits for both countries towards regional and global stability.
At the Francophonie Summit, Mr. To Lam delivered a significant speech advocating for multilateralism and the importance of such institutions.
Alongside leaders from the Francophonie, he endorsed the “Villers-Cotterêts Declaration,” reinforcing their commitment to multilateralism aimed at achieving peace, solidarity, and sustainable development.
“We seized the opportunity to strengthen ties with various countries and organizations, showcasing Vietnam’s vast potential in trade and investment, particularly in science and technology. Vietnam’s role was often highlighted as a model of development in the Francophonie discussions,” remarked Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son.
Government officials from Francophonie countries actively engaged with President To Lam, expressing interest in deepening cooperation with Vietnam and learning from its experiences.
Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son reiterated that the visit underscored Vietnam’s foreign policy of building strong bilateral ties while showcasing its weight in global affairs.
Looking forward, Deputy Prime Minister Son outlined plans to implement the accomplishments from this trip.
In Mongolia, specific strategies will be adopted to realize the Comprehensive Partnership, enhancing trade and agricultural cooperation.
In collaboration with Ireland, both nations will work towards advancing the joint statement aimed at strengthening their partnership, particularly in sectors like education, agriculture, and technology.
Additionally, in France, ministries and local bodies will focus on deeper collaboration in politics, defense, security, trade, and sustainable development, bringing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to fruition.
Within the Francophonie, Vietnam aims to promote the economic aspect, especially within the digital economy. The country also seeks to leverage the Francophonie Community’s potential to advance trade, investment, and innovation alongside sustainable tourism and cooperation initiatives with Africa.
