President of the Vietnam - France Friendship Association's HCM City chapter (VFFA HCM City) Nguyen Thi Ngoc Dung stressed that the meeting not only commemorated the French Revolution but also reflected on the robust development in the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

She recalled the official visit to France by Party General Secretary and State President To Lam in October last year, during which the Party chief and French President Emmanuel Macron concurred to upgrade the bilateral ties from a Strategic Partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This elevation was reinforced by President Macron’s visit in May, with various agreements signed across such domains as railway infrastructure development, digital technology, energy and environment, defence – security, and culture – education.

HCM City, as Vietnam’s vibrant economic and cultural hub, has played a pivotal role in fostering cooperation between the two countries, Dung said, adding French businesses, as well as educational, health care, heritage conservation, and urban development organisations, have maintained an active and visible presence in the city.

Following its mergence with Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Binh Duong provinces, the city now possesses greater socio-economic potential, creating opportunities for the VFFA HCM City to expand its outreach. With new cultural diversity and resources, the association will broaden its impact, contributing to strengthening the Vietnam-France friendship relations, she said.

French Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Emmanuelle Pavillon-Grosser, for her part, noted that the bilateral relations have reached a new high within just one year, underscoring that the Vietnam-France cooperation goes beyond politics to include economy, culture, and education.

She held that Ho Chi Minh City is home to a thriving French community of nearly 6,000, many of whom are proactively contributing to the host nation’s economic development. Furthermore, the support of the local residents who speak French or appreciate French culture has served as a powerful inspiration for activities to consolidate and develop the relationship between the people of both countries.

On the occasion, the Institute of Cultural Exchange with France (IDECAF) held an exhibition and charity art auction, with selected works from the 2025 Francophone painting contest. All proceeds from the auction will go towards supporting disadvantaged child patients at the city Children’s Hospital 2./.VNA