Top Leader’s Visits to Russia, France Achieve Comprehensive, Substantive Results: FM

The State visits to Russia and France by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam have achieved comprehensive and substantive results, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In Russia, the visits reaffirmed the solid historical foundation and high level of political trust between the two countries, which is considered a valuable asset for both the Vietnamese and Russian people. Talking to Vietnam News Agency correspondents, Giulio Chinappi, an Italian political analyst from the Centre for Mediterranean Eurasia Studies (CeSEM), said the state visit to Russia came at a special time as the two countries look towards more than 75 years of diplomatic relations. This trip successfully linked the solid legacy of traditional friendship with a modern foreign policy vision directly serving Vietnam’s future development needs. Meanwhile, Vietnam-France relations are entering a new phase, offering opportunities to translate high-level orientations and agreements into concrete cooperation programmes, while expanding bilateral ties in economy, science and technology, education, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. Former French Ambassador to Vietnam Serge Degallaix stated that both countries possess a special shared legacy and strong political ties, and in a rapidly changing world, they have common interests in building a stronger, more autonomous relationship with a vision towards the next 20 years. The visits occurred as Vietnam is transforming its development model toward greater reliance on science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation. General Secretary and President To Lam emphasized that the trip provided an opportunity to connect France’s strengths in science and technology, innovation, and strategic technology sectors with Vietnam’s emerging development needs. He also expressed expectations for the French National Assembly to soon complete the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA); and asked France to continue leveraging its role in the European Union to support stronger Vietnam-EU ties, tackle illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. Vietnam adheres to a consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, self-strengthening, peace, friendship, cooperation, and development; multilateralisation and diversification of external relations; and proactive, active, comprehensive, extensive, and effective international integration. These visits to Russia and France further strengthen its international standing. In particular, Vietnam's participation in the 18th BRICS Summit in India provided a platform to engage members and partners, debate global and regional governance, especially economic and development issues tied to emerging and developing economies; and identify directions and solutions. That supports Vietnam’s shift “from engaging in rule-making to contributing to shaping rules”, raising its voice in international frameworks, rules and standards, and cementing its global standing. Economically, bilateral trade between Vietnam and France surpassed 5 billion USD in the first eight months of 2026, with Vietnam exporting 3.1 billion USD worth of goods to France and importing 1.9 billion USD worth of products from the European country. Furthermore, with Vietnam and India being among the world's fastest-growing economies and having highly complementary strengths, they expressed determination to step up measures to achieve the target of 25 billion USD in bilateral trade at an early date and facilitate market access for products from both countries, particularly pharmaceuticals, agricultural products, fisheries, and livestock products. These visits demonstrate Vietnam's emphasis on its role, position, potential, and growth prospects in the international arena, with high regard for the Vietnamese Party and State’s vision and recent reforms. Parliaments and political parties of both countries expressed their desire to accompany Vietnam’s development, further tightening the Vietnam-RoK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the Vietnam-Mongolia Comprehensive Partnership.