French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron will begin their official state visit to Vietnam tomorrow, at the invitation of President Luong Cuong.

This visit is part of a three-country tour across Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore.

French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet emphasized that this is a significant visit in France-Vietnam relations.

The Southeast Asia tour aligns with France’s Indo-Pacific strategy launched in 2018, reflecting its strong commitment to regional partnerships for stability and development.

President Macron’s decision to start his visit in Vietnam underscores the unique and special relationship between the two countries.

Last October, during General Secretary To Lam’s visit to France, the two countries upgraded their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Priorities of the visit

Seven months later, Macron’s visit affirms France’s high-level commitment to reinforcing and developing its partnership with Vietnam, aiming to bring the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into practical and effective operation.

“We hope this visit, built on a foundation of trust, will strengthen bilateral ties across politics, economy, scientific research, education, culture, and defense. We believe the upcoming high-level meetings will further boost the France-Vietnam partnership,” said Ambassador Brochet.

President Macron is scheduled to meet Vietnam’s top leaders and participate in other activities, including a working session at the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (the Vietnam-France University).

He will engage with students at the university and Vietnamese students participating in French training programs. Macron will deliver a speech to Vietnamese youth, highlighting the future of bilateral ties and the pivotal role of the younger generation.

Several ministers will accompany Macron, including the Minister of Economy and Finance and the Minister of the Armed Forces. They are expected to meet with Vietnamese counterparts to advance cooperation projects in economics, defense, and security.

A key topic of this visit is France’s support for Vietnam’s energy transition. An important agreement is expected between the French Development Agency (AFD) and Vietnam’s National Power Transmission Corporation to construct a new transmission line. This is part of France’s support for Vietnam’s implementation of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

Leaders from both countries will also discuss global issues and challenges. In June, France will host the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, and Vietnam will send a high-level delegation.

The French Ambassador confirmed that this visit affirms the robust development of bilateral relations and the shared desire to elevate the partnership. It’s an opportunity for both sides to build a modern, dynamic, and structured relationship rooted in mutual respect and sovereignty.

People-to-people exchange remains the foundation

Discussing future potential, Ambassador Brochet highlighted areas France hopes to prioritize with Vietnam: energy (including nuclear), transportation, high technology, and artificial intelligence.

“These are fields that match Vietnam’s needs and capabilities. France is especially interested in Vietnam’s strategic infrastructure vision - such as high-speed rail - where French companies hold significant expertise,” said the Ambassador.

A major event will be held in Ho Chi Minh City on May 27: the French Tech Summit Vietnam 2025. It is expected to attract 1,500 participants from both countries, including policymakers, business leaders, investors, startups, and tech experts. The event aims to usher in a new phase of collaboration in technology and innovation between France and Vietnam.

Ambassador Brochet noted that while bilateral relations span politics, economics, culture, and education, their foundation - both in the short and long term - remains people-to-people ties.

Over the past 50 years, cultural and educational exchange has flourished. Many Vietnamese who studied in France have returned and now serve as vital bridges between the two nations.

“In nearly two years as French Ambassador to Vietnam, I’ve been pleased to see frequent visits from French research institutions to Vietnam and vice versa. These visits foster strong bonds between personnel and institutions from both countries, further enhancing bilateral relations,” he shared.

France, he added, is committed not only to hosting cultural events but also to co-developing Vietnam’s creative and cultural industries. This is evident in France’s two-decade-long support for major festivals like the Hue Festival.

Tran Thuong