The affirmation was made by Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Loc Ha at the French National Day celebration hosted by the French Consulate General in the city on July 14.

Extending greetings on behalf of the city’s leadership and residents, Vice Chairman Ha said July 14 has come to symbolize the friendship between France and Vietnam. It is an occasion to honor enduring values, great achievements, and the deep cultural ties between two civilizations with long-standing traditions in Europe and Asia.

He affirmed that as the city enters a new stage of development, it hopes to continue receiving support from the French Government and business community across key sectors such as digital transformation, education and training, smart infrastructure, sustainable urban development, and cultural heritage conservation. Ho Chi Minh City pledges to create the most favorable conditions in terms of institutions, policies, and investment environment to ensure that cooperation initiatives with France are implemented in a substantive, effective, and sustainable manner, in the spirit of “harmonized interests and shared risks.”

Vice Chairman Ha expressed his belief that with strong historical and cultural connections, solid political trust, and effective economic linkages, the Vietnam–France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including the cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and French localities, will continue to thrive for the benefit of both peoples and for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world.

At the ceremony, French Consul General Emmanuelle Pavillon-Grosser highlighted the historic significance of Bastille Day on July 14, 1789. In Vietnam, she said, the national day is celebrated in a festive spirit, especially after a vibrant year of bilateral relations

She noted that 2024 marked a new milestone in bilateral ties, with General Secretary To Lam’s official visit to France in October. President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Vietnam in 2025 added further momentum to bilateral ties, leading to the signing of new strategic agreements in defense, aviation, rail transport, healthcare, and energy.

Just weeks ago, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also visited France to attend the third UN Ocean Conference, contributing to enhanced bilateral dialogue, she added

According to the Consul General, Ho Chi Minh City has seen fruitful cooperation in trade, innovation, technology, and artificial intelligence. Education, scientific research, and culture remain top priorities in the partnership.

Recently, the French Institute in Vietnam co-organized the city’s first international film festival, helped establish the Vietnam Association for Visual Effects and Animation (VAVA), supported the country’s first delegation to attend the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France, and hosted a light projection on the facade of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee headquarters to mark April 30. These positive results form a solid foundation for propelling the France-Vietnam partnership forward.

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