Ambassador works to enhance ties with French localities
A delegation from the Vietnamese Embassy led by Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang visited Hérault province in France’s Occitanie region from March 6-8, aiming to strengthen local-level cooperation.
Hérault Governor François Xavier Lauch (left) receives Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang in his office. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - A delegation from the Vietnamese Embassy led by Ambassador Dinꦑh Toan Thang visited Hérault province in France’s Occitanie region from March 6-8, aiming to strengthen local-level cooperation.
The trip formed part of diplomatic activities following the recent upgrade of Vietnam-France relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
During a meeting with Ambassador Thang, Hérault Governor François Xavier Lauch praised the strong Vietnam-France friendship and the positive integration of the Vietnamese community in Herault, calling them a vital bridge between the two nations.
Thang underscored the long-standing presence of Vietnamese communities in southern France, notably in Marseille, Nice, and Montpellier, highlighting their contributions to local development and bilateral cooperation.
Both sides reaffirmed their historic ties, reflected in high-level visits such as Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam’s visit to France in October 2024 and the earlier visit of France’s Defence Minister to Vietnam on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory in May.
Ambassador Thang briefed his host on Vietnam’s rapid socio-economic development and its increasing global integration, expressing a hope for new collaboration opportunities. Discussions focused on shared interests, including climate change response, education, seafood processing, economic exchange, and cultural cooperation.
In Béziers, one of France’s oldest towns and a renowned wine capital, Thang met with Mayor Robert Ménard. Their talks covered higher education, economic partnerships, cultural exchange, and tourism development.
He also visited the Béziers University Institute of Technology (IUT Béziers), where many Vietnamese students are studying. Mayor Menard expressed a desire to attract more Vietnamese students, particularly in robotics and artificial intelligence.
Mayor Daniel Ballester (right)introduces to Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang (centre) a dyke model in the town of Valras-Plage (Photo: VNA)
They also discussed business collaboration, especially in seafood processing and wine production. The Béziers mayor expressed his hope for enhanced tourism ties and more Vietnamese visitors to southern France.
In the coastal town of Valras-Plage, climate change and coastal erosion topped discussions between Thang and Mayor Daniel Ballester.
Ballester voiced concerns about rising sea levels and saltwater intrusion threatening local vineyards despite protective measures like seawalls.
Thang shared Vietnam’s similar challenges in the Mekong Delta and proposed joint research on sustainable solutions, including mangrove reforestation and artificial reef development./.
The annual Tet celebration at Paris City Hall has become a cherished gathering for the Vietnamese community and an opportunity for international friends to experience Vietnam’s culture and traditions.
French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet said scientific cooperation between France and Vietnam has a long history, noting that French scientists were arranged to support Vietnam in scientific research after the Institute of Oceanography was established in 1922.
Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang invited investors in France’s Grand Est region to explore opportunities in Vietnam, particularly in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, agriculture, renewable energy, innovation, digital transformation, and semiconductors.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
