French Ambassador Bids Farewell to Vietnam, Praises Heritage Preservation and Bilateral Ties

French Ambassador to Vietnam, Olivier Brochet, has made a farewell visit to Thay Pagoda, an ancient temple located on the outskirts of Hanoi, as his three-year tenure comes to an end. This marked his final official trip in Vietnam before returning home. Ambassador Brochet expressed deep admiration for the pagoda's landscape and architectural style, particularly noting the traditional water puppet shows. He conveyed that even without understanding the Vietnamese dialogue, the stories celebrating history and daily life were palpable, praising the unique charm of village performances. The ambassador emphasized that France and Vietnam share a mutual commitment to heritage preservation. He highly commended Vietnam's balanced approach, evident at sites like Thay Pagoda and Hue's monuments, which sustains structural integrity while safeguarding cultural essence and local character. Beyond preserving French-era architecture, he mentioned the exchange of experts and architects between the two nations, citing the cooperation between the Dien Bien Phu Victory Museum and France's Caen Memorial Museum as an example. During his three years in office, Ambassador Brochet witnessed firsthand how French-funded projects in cities and provinces brought tangible benefits to local communities. He also recalled being impressed by the warmth of the people he met along hiking trails and through terraced tea hills, as well as the infectious optimism of farmers working diligently under the scorching sun. The ambassador observed Vietnam's rapid modernization, the expansion of industrial parks, urban development, and advancements in the healthcare sector, a traditional area of cooperation. He stated, "Vietnam and its people will always hold a special place in my heart," praising the kindness and warmth of its citizens. Reflecting on the visit of Vietnamese President To Lam to France, Brochet pointed out that three top-level meetings within two years demonstrate deep political trust. He believes this trust helps both nations address global challenges and encourages French companies to invest and expand their presence in Vietnam's economy. The upcoming Space Summit in Paris is expected to reaffirm traditional partnerships and open new collaborative frontiers, particularly in space technology. Ambassador Brochet expressed his anticipation for President To Lam's tour of the Paris-Saclay innovation cluster, seeing it as an opportunity to showcase France's best in education, advanced training, and scientific research. (Source: Vietnam.net)