The leaders of Vietnam and France have agreed to promote a cooperation model of “French Technology – Vietnamese Manufacturing – Regional and Global Supply,” aiming to bring the two countries’ strong products into global supply chains.
Vietnamese Party General Secretary and President To Lam and French President Emmanuel Macron meet the press in Paris on September 10, 2026. Photo courtesy of Vietnam News Agency.
The consensus was reached after talks in Paris on Thursday afternoon between Vietnam’s Party General Secretary and President To Lam and French President Emmanuel Macron during the former’s official visit to France and attendance at the International Space Summit.
They also agreed to pursue new, strategic and long-term areas of cooperation within the framework of their comprehensive strategic partnership, with a focus on developing strategic industries and services with broad spillover effects.
To Lam called on both sides to continue effectively implementing the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and urged France to soon complete ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to create new momentum for investors.
He asked France to encourage the European Commission (EC) to remove the “yellow card” related to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing imposed on Vietnam’s seafood at an early date and support the country in developing sustainable fisheries.
The top leader of Vietnam made a similar proposal during his meeting with French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu on the same day. In response, the host PM affirmed that France would voice its support for Vietnam in efforts to have the IUU “yellow card” removed and to be taken off the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions on tax matters.
At the talks, the French side welcomed the signing of numerous cooperation documents between the two countries during the visit, including agreements covering areas of importance in the current context.
Macron congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic development achievements and praised the country’s growing role and position in the region and on the international stage. He affirmed that France is always ready to accompany Vietnam in its new era of development.
To Lam said Vietnam’s decision to choose France as the first EU country with which to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership demonstrates political trust and determination to elevate bilateral relations to a new level.
Earlier, at a press meeting, the French President highlighted the role of economic and business connectivity in industrial development and national security. He expressed his desire for France to become a leading partner of Vietnam in energy, transport infrastructure, urban development, artificial intelligence and innovation.
Macron also called for cooperation agreements to be translated into action and implemented more quickly. According to Lam, Vietnam is renewing its development model, with science and technology regarded as a key growth driver, while focusing on strategic infrastructure, energy and high-quality human resources. He urged the two countries to leverage their respective advantages and complementarities to elevate strategic cooperation and open new cooperation frameworks.
Making science-technology a new pillar
The two leaders agreed to leverage France’s scientific strengths and officially make science-technology cooperation a new and key pillar of bilateral relations. Priority areas include aerospace, critical minerals, quantum technology, clean energy, and research serving sustainable development and climate change response.
To Lam called on the two countries to expand scientific research, including space science, promote technology transfer and develop technological capabilities. He also asked for support for Vietnam to gradually develop quantum technology. Macron expressed his desire for the two countries to soon launch major and new projects in strategic science-technology fields.
In education and training, the two sides agreed to continue effectively implementing signed cooperation documents, particularly those supporting the teaching of French in Vietnam. To Lam called for expanded cooperation in training high-quality human resources in fields suited to current practical and strategic requirements, such as semiconductors, new energy and railways.
In healthcare, the Vietnamese leader emphasized the role of the Pasteur Institutes in Vietnam and called for upgraded cooperation to make Vietnam a leading regional center for the application of modern medical technologies in Southeast Asia. He also urged the continued provision of scholarships for Vietnamese medical students.
Macron affirmed that France would continue to actively support Vietnam’s development of its cultural industries, while promoting deeper cooperation in healthcare, education and training.
To Lam suggested France simplify visa procedures for Vietnamese citizens to boost tourism and people-to-people exchanges. He also asked the European country to continue facilitating the deeper integration and sustainable development of the Vietnamese community, and to establish mechanisms to harness the potential of Vietnamese experts, intellectuals and scientists to contribute to the host country and promote bilateral relations.
On the occasion, the leaders witnessed the signing and exchange of cooperation documents between ministries and agencies of the two countries in the fields of security, healthcare, aerospace, science and technology, and critical minerals.