2023 a special year in Vietnam-France relations

The past half century has seen bilateral relations develop positively across multiple fields, including politics - defence, economy, culture, education, science - technology, health, and people-to-people exchanges, especially since the two countries upgraded their ties to the strategic partnership in 2013.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, both countries have maintained high-level diplomatic exchanges and supported each other in responding and controlling the spread of the virus.

These efforts have not only served to maintain the high-level relationship, but have also contributed to accelerating key projects between the two countries, said the diplomat, adding their participation in the Just Energy Transition Partnership will certainly create further opportunities for the two sides to boost cooperation.

Defence a priority area for future ties

Ambassador Warnery emphasised that the special relationship between France and Vietnam has received support from senior leaders of the two countries.

With regard to economy, the French diplomat analysed that the enforcement of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) in August 2020 paved the way to further develop trade between Vietnam and France and at the same time reduce the French side’s trade deficit with Vietnam.

In addition, just energy transition will also be a sphere that both sides can use in order to step up cooperation based on existing climate change adaptation projects.

In particular, Ambassador Warnery revealed that France wants to make defence a priority area of cooperation between the two countries moving forward. He expressed hope that both sides will create foundational projects in a bid to enhance bilateral relations.

Vietnam-France relations: A new diplomatic story

Addressing a recent launching ceremony of events marking 50 years of Vietnam-France diplomacy and 10 years of their strategic partnership, Vietnam National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue emphasised that the two countries have a historical relationship with a shared culture and people-to-people exchanges.

Vietnam places great importance on its relationship with France which plays a key role in both Europe and in the wider world, said Hue, adding that France has become a development partner of ASEAN at a regional level.

Furthermore, the bloc also upgraded its relationship with the EU to that of a strategic partnership in 2020, setting the foundation to boost mutual relations to new heights.

During his visit to Hanoi in early December 2022, President of the French Senate Gérard Larcher also emphasised that the special thing in bilateral partnership is that both countries work together to overcome differences to move forward.

According to Ambassador Warnery, the new diplomatic story is that both countries have always sought to make great strides to further develop the relationship, despite ups and downs over the years, a factor which has provided the basis to diversify linkages.

The French diplomat noted that the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties is just the beginning in terms of fostering bilateral relations, and that there are many years ahead for both nations to continue to bolster the relationship.  

According to the French diplomat, Vietnam can continue to demonstrate its dynamism in foreign affairs, and although it has also been impacted by global challenges, the country will work out reasonable solutions to maintain growth momentum and effectively cooperate with others to leverage its economy in the long-term.

Warnery also recalled this marks the fourth time that he has celebrated the lunar New Year (Tet) festival in Vietnam. The diplomat said he was still impressed by the bustling Tet atmosphere before New Year's Eve and the tranquility of local streets during the initial days of the Lunar New Year, as well as by Vietnamese Tet peach blossoms. Marking the lunar Year of the Cat 2023, he extended his best wishes to Vietnamese people for the festive occasion.