Vietnam's Top Leader Visits France, Boosting Expectations for Bilateral Ties

The official visit to the French Republic by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam has generated expectations for further development of bilateral relations and expanded exchanges with the Vietnamese diaspora (Kieu Bao) and younger generations, as well as the utilization of overseas Vietnamese resources. This visit is seen as a foundation to promote the concretization of commitments and agreements reached between the two countries, steering the Vietnam-France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership towards greater depth, substance, and effectiveness. During the visit, General Secretary and President To Lam held talks and meetings with senior French leaders and engaged with the Vietnamese community in France. This visit has been evaluated by the Vietnamese diaspora and French friends as a significant milestone, opening up new opportunities for the broader development of Vietnam-France relations. Dr. Vo Toan Trung, a Vietnamese doctor residing in France and Head of the Rehabilitation Department at Bullion Hospital, pointed out that this visit, two years after the two countries upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, more clearly demonstrates new developments in Vietnam-France relations. He analyzed that bilateral relations are shifting from quantitative expansion to qualitative deepening, becoming substantial in many areas. He particularly valued French support in science and technology, an area where France has strengths, as a crucial element bolstering Vietnam's development. Ms. Vu Nguyet Anh, President of the Vietnam Culture and Lifestyle Association in France, stated that the meeting between General Secretary and President To Lam and President Emmanuel Macron signifies the growing importance and elevated status of Vietnam in its relations with France. She anticipates that exchanges between the top leaders of both nations will form the basis for promoting closer cooperation policies and mechanisms that benefit both Vietnamese citizens in France and French citizens in Vietnam. Associate Professor Dr. Tran Le Hung from Gustave Eiffel University in France believes the visit is particularly significant for Vietnam as it enters a new development phase where science and technology are identified as a key driving force. He noted that many Vietnamese intellectuals residing in France wish to contribute to their homeland, and this visit serves as an encouragement, further igniting their desire to contribute to national development. He also pointed out that the contributions of overseas Vietnamese intellectuals are not necessarily limited to returning to work in Vietnam; they can directly contribute to solving Vietnam's development challenges through the establishment of international research and cooperation networks connecting research institutions, universities, and businesses in France with their Vietnamese counterparts. Dr. Tran Thu Dung, a cultural researcher in France, highlighted the historical significance of this visit by comparing it to the visit of President Ho Chi Minh to France 80 years ago, noting that today Vietnam can discuss scientific-technical, cultural, and other development fields in a spirit of cooperation and equality. Source: Nhan Dan