Vietnamese Leader Holds Talks with French President, Strengthening Strategic Partnership

Vietnamese Party General Secretary and President To Lam held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron on the afternoon of September 10, 2026 (local time), at the Élysée Palace in Paris, the capital of France. The meeting took place after President To Lam and his wife were formally welcomed by the French President. This visit was timed to coincide with President To Lam's participation in the Space Summit held in France. During the talks, detailed discussions were held on international and regional situations, as well as further strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries. In particular, the possibility of expanding cooperation in various fields such as economy, trade, investment, climate change response, and defense cooperation may have been discussed. Vietnam, while maintaining economic growth under its one-party system, prioritizes relations with the European Union (EU). Strengthening ties with France is part of Vietnam's diplomatic strategy to expand access to European markets and deepen technological cooperation. Furthermore, in its relationship with China, Vietnam emphasizes sovereignty and territorial integrity while maintaining economic ties. In this complex geopolitical context, strengthening relations with European countries holds significant importance for Vietnam in broadening its diplomatic options and building balanced international relations. Prior to the meeting, President To Lam attended and delivered a speech at the Space Summit, and also held a meeting with the Prime Minister of France. Source: Nhan Dan