French Media Applauds Deepening France-Vietnam Strategic Partnership

The official visit to France by General Secretary and President Tô Lâm has garnered widespread attention from French media, with a focus on the "unprecedented" pace of high-level exchanges, concrete cooperation results, and the convergence of strategic visions between the two nations. French media outlets have assessed that the visit will provide new momentum to deepen the France-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, steering it towards future-oriented sectors. The online newspaper Mediapart, in an article titled "French President Praises Unprecedented Pace of Exchanges with Vietnam," highlighted President Emmanuel Macron's assessment of the "continuous" and "unprecedented" strong development of bilateral relations during General Secretary and President Tô Lâm's visit. Mediapart specifically noted the French leader's assertion that both countries share a common vision for the world, aiming to maintain their positions as independent nations, protect their strategic autonomy, and build relationships with reliable partners. In a statement posted on its official website the same day, the Élysée Palace emphasized new developments in France-Vietnam relations. Economically, President Macron highlighted the co-chairing of the second session of the France-Vietnam Business Council by the two leaders and reaffirmed commitments to the implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the prospects of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). President Macron also specifically mentioned strategic and high-tech areas of cooperation. Analyzing the situation, the newspaper La Tribune commented on September 10 that France-Vietnam relations are increasingly strengthening and looking towards the future. According to author Pascal Junghans, the visit by General Secretary and President Tô Lâm is an opportunity for both sides to further deepen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. La Tribune suggested that France's strengths align with Vietnam's development needs in many areas. Amid profound changes in global supply chains, capital flows, and technology, strengthening France-Vietnam relations could help both countries diversify their partners, markets, and supply chains, thereby enhancing their economic autonomy and resilience. The article also assessed that Vietnam and France could leverage their strengths to become bridges between ASEAN and the EU. Regarding General Secretary and President Tô Lâm's visit to Montreau Park in the city of Montreuil to lay flowers in memory of President Hồ Chí Minh, the newspaper La Revue emphasized the symbolic significance of this location, which is linked to the history of President Hồ Chí Minh's relationship with the French left-wing movement. The newspaper quoted Mr. Patrice Bessac, Mayor of Montreuil, who stressed that the image of President Hồ Chí Minh is an inseparable part of the local history and a shared pride in the city. According to the newspaper, the preservation of the Hồ Chí Minh Space at the Living History Museum in Montreuil demonstrates the continuation of a historical legacy nurtured over generations.