Welcome ceremony held for French President in Hanoi
This is the French President's first visit to Vietnam since he took office in 2017 and was re-elected in 2022. It holds special significance for the bilateral relations, especially following the upgrade of the ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in October 2024 during Party General Secretary To Lam's official visit to the European country.
State President Luong Cuong (left) and French President Emmanuel Macron review the Guard of Honour of the Vietnam People’s Army. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – State President Luong C🌃uong and his spouse hosted a welcome ceremony in Hanoi on May 26 for French President Emmanuel Macron🍌 and his spouse, who are on a state visit to Vietnam from May 25-27.
Amid ceremonial music and Vietnamese children waving flags, the two leaders walked a red carpet to a platform where the national anthems of Vietnam and France were played by a military band. They then reviewed the Guard of Honour of the Vietnam People’s Army.
Following the welcome ceremony, host and guest held talks to review the recent progress in Vietnam–France cooperation and propose strategies to further strengthen ties. They are set to witness the signing of key cooperation documents and jointly meet with the press.
This is the French President's first visit to Vietnam since he took office in 2017 and was re-elected in 2022. It holds special significance for the bilateral relations, especially following the upgrade of the ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in October 2024 during Party General Secretary To Lam's official visit to the European country.
Vietnam and France established their diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level on April 12, 1973. However, the foundation for exchanges had been laid earlier, when France opened a representative mission in the Democratic Republic of Vietnam following the Geneva Accords of 1954.
State President Luong Cuong (second from right) and French President Emmanuel Macron (second from left) and their spouses. (Photo: VNA)
Along with mutual visits, meetings and contacts between high-ranking leaders, the two countries have also maintained numerous regular exchange mechanisms in the fields of politics, economy, and defence at various levels.
Economic and trade cooperation serves as a key pillar in the bilateral relationship. France is currently Vietnam’s fifth-largest trading partner in Europe and one of the leading providers of Official Development Assistance (ODA) among EU member states.
Bilateral trade turnover reached 5.33 billion USD in 2022, 4.8 billion USD in 2023, 5.42 billion USD in 2024, and 1.79 billion USD in the first four months of 2025.
According to Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang, green transition, digital transformation, and innovation are currently strategic priorities for Vietnam, and also the key areas in which it seeks to strengthen cooperation with international partners. France, with its strong scientific research capacity and status as one of the world’s leading countries in innovation, is well-positioned to be a valuable partner in these fields.
Healthcare collaboration is also emerging as a bright spot, with the recent partnership between Vietnam’s VNVC Vaccination Centre and French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi on vaccine production following the elevation of the bilateral ties.
Locality-to-locality cooperation has continued to flourish, with preparations underway for the 13th Vietnam–France Decentralised Cooperation Conference, expected to be held in France in 2026./.
On the morning of May 26, at the Presidential Palace, State President Luong Cuong and his spouse hosted the official welcome ceremony for President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron and his spouse on the occasion of their State visit to Vietnam.
Vietnam and France established diplomatic relations in 1973. 40 years later, in 2013, the two countries announced the establishment of a Strategic Partnership. In 2024, during Party General Secretary and President To Lam’s the visit to France, the two sides upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, opening a new chapter in bilateral relations.
A Vietnamese tourism promotion event took place in Paris on May 12–13, spotlighting Vietnam’s diverse offerings in eco-friendly and sustainable tourism, heritage and cultural experiences, seaside getaways, and high-end and unique travel products tailored to European preferences.
The upcoming state visit by French President Emmanuel Macron presents an excellent opportunity for the leaders of both nations to align on concrete next steps for implementing the frameworks outlined in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
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.
