Vietnam and France celebrate 50 years of diplomacy in Paris

Representatives of the French Government, diplomatic missions, friendship associations and Vietnamese expatriates attended the ceremony.

In his opening speech, Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang reviewed major milestones in bilateral relations, noting both Vietnam and France have surmounted challenges and difficulties over the past decades to become strategic partners at present built upon strong political and dynamic economic relations, and rich and diverse cooperation in all fields, from science to technology, culture - education to people-to-people exchanges.

Despite the great upheavals of the world, the two countries have always remained steadfast in their choice to strengthen cooperation and dialogue, serving as the springboard for the two countries to look to the future, with more ambitious cooperation projects worthy of their potential and will, said the Vietnamese diplomat.

Sharing his view, Benoit Guidée at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out 2023 is a special year in Vietnam – France relations as both countries are celebrating 50 years of their diplomacy and 10 years of their strategic partnership.

In the current volatile world context, France gives great priority to the Indo-Pacific region, highly appreciating the role of ASEAN, of which Vietnam is an influential member and a partner with which France has deep ties, he said.

The French diplomat also emphasized that, what makes Vietnam-France relations special is the human factor, and that there is no Asian country with which France has deeply human and cultural connections like Vietnam.

At the function, distinguished guests enjoyed Vietnamese and French cultural performances performed by students of the Conservatoire de Versailles and artists of the Vietnam National Puppet Theater.