The 20th Francophonie Summit is expected to bring together heads of state and government leaders from member countries of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), including French President Emmanuel Macron.
With the theme “Reinvest in Peace for Shared Prosperity and Sustainable Stability,” the summit aims to strengthen dialogue, reinforce multilateral cooperation, and promote the Francophone community's role in addressing global challenges as it works toward a peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable future.
Following the summit held in France in 2024, this year’s event marks the second time the Francophonie Summit has been organized in Asia, after the 1997 summit in Ha Noi.
At the invitation of King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, To Lam, will lead the high-level Vietnamese delegation to attend the 20th Francophonie Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from November 14 to 16, 2026.
Speaking with the People’s Public Security (PPS) Newspaper, French Ambassador to Viet Nam Didier Le Bret said the summit will create opportunities for France and Viet Nam to continue discussions on bilateral cooperation, while also strengthening cooperation mechanisms within the Francophone community framework.
“I believe that Viet Nam, which hosted the Francophonie Summit in 1997, will have many ideas and ambitions to share with the Francophone community,” shared French Ambassador Didier Le Bret.
For Viet Nam, the Francophone community is not only a space for linguistic and cultural exchange but also an important channel for multilateral cooperation, contributing to expanding foreign relations, diversifying partnerships, and promoting international integration.
As an active member of the Francophone community in the Asia-Pacific region, Viet Nam has participated in many joint activities, promoted dialogue, strengthened cooperation among member countries, and upheld the values of peace, solidarity, and respect for cultural diversity.
A significant milestone in Viet Nam’s participation was hosting the 7th Francophonie Summit in Ha Noi in 1997. The event helped elevate Viet Nam’s international standing during a period of accelerated integration and marked an important development for the Francophone community in Asia-Pacific.
In addition to high-level political and diplomatic activities, the 20th Francophonie Summit will also focus on promoting economic, scientific-technological, and innovation cooperation, as well as strengthening cultural exchanges among member countries.
Within the framework of the summit, the FrancoTech 2026 forum will be held in parallel. Scheduled from November 14-16, the forum is expected to become a key meeting point for the business community, investors, and policymakers, aiming to foster innovation, technology transfer, and expand economic partnerships within the Francophone space.
With the participation of over 200 international enterprises, more than 90 delegates from various countries, and an expected attendance of over 5,000 visitors, the event will provide opportunities for businesses to strengthen connections, exchange experiences, seek investment opportunities, and implement specific cooperation projects.
French Ambassador to Viet Nam Didier Le Bret particularly emphasized the potential for scientific and technological cooperation through the FrancoTech forum. According to the Ambassador, for Viet Nam, the Francophone space not only opens up access to new markets, attracts investment, and facilitates technology transfer, but also enables domestic enterprises to participate more deeply in international production, business, and supply chains.
Discussing strategic technology cooperation areas between Viet Nam and France, Ambassador Didier Le Bret noted that the two countries are paying special attention to three key sectors: satellite technology, quantum technology, and rare earths.
“These are the three technology cooperation areas highlighted by General Secretary and President To Lam, and both countries are focusing on promoting them. Implementing projects in these fields will create opportunities for Vietnamese and French scientists to enhance exchanges, share expertise, and gain experience,” Ambassador Didier Le Bret stressed.
The Ambassador revealed that just a few weeks ago, he witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between two major technology companies from Viet Nam and France in the field of quantum computing. According to the Ambassador, technology cooperation projects not only promote knowledge exchange and enhance research capacity, but also bring tangible economic benefits to both countries.
“These are areas of cooperation that benefit both sides. Viet Nam has the opportunity to become an important link in the global supply chain, while France and Europe can diversify their supply sources by strengthening cooperation with Viet Nam,” Ambassador Didier Le Bret commented.
One of the key messages France has emphasized ahead of the summit is the importance of the French language in connecting communities, fostering international exchanges, and creating new opportunities in education, employment, and economic development.
“The summit is also an opportunity for us to convey an important message: French is not just a means of communication, but a language that opens up opportunities, fosters exchanges, and facilitates international integration,” affirmed Éléonore Caroit, French Minister Delegate for Francophonie, in an interview with the PPS Newspaper.
In Viet Nam, the teaching and promotion of French are being strengthened through a network of Francophone educational institutions and French-language school programs. Currently, 32 educational institutions in Viet Nam have been awarded the LabelFrancÉducation, with many more applications under review.
Francophone educational cooperation not only enhances cultural exchanges and strengthens relations between Viet Nam and OIF member countries, but also creates opportunities for students to access study, research, and career development in an international environment.
Highlighting achievements in educational and training cooperation between the two countries, Minister Éléonore Caroit noted that more than 3,000 Vietnamese doctors have been trained through cooperation programs with France over the past decades.
“Over the decades, we have established cooperation mechanisms that have contributed to human resource development in Viet Nam. I believe France and Viet Nam can further strengthen cooperation in educating and training younger generations, thereby making meaningful contributions to the country’s development,” Minister Éléonore Caroit emphasized.
Meanwhile, French Ambassador to Viet Nam Didier Le Bret believes that developing a workforce proficient in French will bring many practical benefits to Viet Nam, especially by expanding trade and investment relations with francophone nations in Africa—a region gaining increasing interest from international investors.
The ability to utilize French not only helps young Vietnamese access more educational and professional opportunities, but also provides an advantage in international integration, career development, and expanding cooperation networks with partners around the world.
