French Ambassador describes Vietnam - France relations as “Friendship, Partnership and Confidence”

The French Ambassador to Vietnam granted the interview on the occasion of the French National Day (July 14, 1789 – July 14, 2025) and in celebration of the one-year anniversary of the elevation of Vietnam–France relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (October 7, 2024 – October 7, 2025).

In the press meeting, French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet noted that the relationship between Vietnam and France is truly special. The two countries have remained closely connected despite numerous historical ups and downs. Today, the two nations share common interests and a strong desire to further develop their bilateral ties in a more solid and sustainable manner.

Ambassador Brochet recalled the visit to Vietnam by French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu on the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory, emphasizing that it was a concrete demonstration of how both countries are jointly reflecting on the past with calmness and goodwill, which serves as an impetus for the two sides to further advance their future relationship.

He stressed that the three key words “Friendship, Partnership, Confidence” accurately describe the unique and positive momentum of France-Vietnam relations today. Friendship, he explained, is one of the most deeply rooted features of the relationship. This year, during President Emmanuel Macron’s State visit to Vietnam, President Emmanuel Macron and General Secretary To Lam planted a tree of friendship in the Ho Chi Minh Relic Site at the Presidential Palace, near Ba Dinh Square, where President Ho Chi Minh delivered the Declaration of Independence, 80 years ago.

According to the French ambassador, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was an important outcome of General Secretary To Lam’s official visit to France in October last year. Regarding the confidence between the two countries, the ambassador recalled that Vietnam as the first stop on President Macron’s Southeast Asia tour demonstrated that the French President had attached special importance to Vietnam.

In fact, President Macron and Vietnamese leaders showed their each other’s confidence when discussing their perspectives on international affairs and agreeing to promote a “partnership based on mutual trust".

Another fact is that competent agencies and organizations from both Vietnam and France had diligently preparated for President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Vietnam, resulting in the signing of approximately 30 major agreements.

Those agreements cover all key areas of bilateral cooperation, with a notable focus on sustainable development, including energy transition and the development of transportation infrastructure, particularly railway systems, as well as innovation.

Another significant highlight in the visit was the agreement between the French Development Agency (AFD) and Vietnam Electricity (EVN), marking the first Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) agreement signed in Vietnam.

The deal was expected to open up to more bilateral agreements in the future, in which France would assist Vietnam in speed up energy transition and implementing its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Ambassador Olivier Brochet also affirmed that France is committed to accompanying and supporting Vietnam in its development and digital transformation, in alignment with Vietnam’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation. With its current capabilities, France can also assist Vietnam in developing high-quality human resources, said the ambassador.

Ambassador Brochet added that, during the recent State visit to Vietnam, President Macron also elaborated on France’s support for Vietnam, saying that France would support Vietnam by fostering cooperation between laboratories and universities of the two sides, and encouraging French businesses not only to bring the best French products and services to the Vietnamese market, but also to actively engage in training local personnel, transferring technology and assisting Vietnam in mastering the transferred technologies.

Quoting several key sustainable development projects supported by the French side, such as Hanoi’s Metro Line 3 (Nhon – Hanoi Station) and Ho Chi Minh City’s Metro Line 1, Ambassador Brochet said that France-funded projects aim to bring more convenience to the Vietnamese people, and contribute to Vietnam’s sustainable transition. In fact, the projects have not only met the expectation of not only local people, but also been highly appreciated by French officials when visiting the projects.

In his remarks, Ambassador Olivier Brochet revealed that the French side is deeply impressed by the scale and pace of Vietnam’s ongoing administrative reform, stating that Vietnam’s administrative reform has achieved initial results at both central level and local one.

He stated: “I witnessed firsthand the tremendous workload shouldered by local officials, yet also their strong determination to complete their tasks as scheduled. We understand that the reform goals set forth by General Secretary To Lam aim to build a more effective administration, one that accelerates the decision-making process. From embassies and development cooperation agencies of foreign countries to international partners and long-term foreign investors in Vietnam, we all wish to see concrete results from this reform. I am firmly convinced that a successful administrative reform will provide a powerful catalyst for expanding bilateral cooperation, including between France and Vietnam”.

With its own experience in reform, France stands ready to support Vietnam in the country’s process, especially through long-standing administrative cooperation programs between the two countries at both central and local levels. Ambassador Brochet also said, France wishes to welcome more Vietnamese State officials, civil servants and senior leaders to France to participate in training programs at the National Institute of Public Service (INSP) and other prestigious French schools of public administration.

He noted: “Our goal is to facilitate two-way exchanges in terms of not only technical expertise but also modern public governance, which France itself has experienced during its own public administrative reform process”.

 In recent years, Vietnam-France trade cooperation has also continued to expand. The year 2024 witnessed an impressive growth rate of nearly 13%, with a bilateral trade turnover of over USD 5.4 billion.

Ambassador Brochet observed: “Vietnam holds a major advantage as it has signed and has been implementing the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) over the past few years. The Vietnam is one of the only two ASEAN countries that has signed a free trade agreement with the European Union. EVFTA is a fair, balanced and very important agreement, offering a high degree of predictability for the future of bilateral trade relations".