The leader of Lang Son Provincial People's Committee attends French National Day Celebration in Ha Noi

On July 15, 2025, in Ha Noi, the French Embassy in Vietnam hosted a reception to celebrate the 236th anniversary of the French National Day (July 14, 1789 - July 14, 2025).

The ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang; representatives from central ministries, commissions, sector and localities that have established relations with French agencies and localities; diplomatic missions and international organizations in Vietnam. From Lang Son province, Mr. Duong Xuan Huyen, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, and representatives from the Office of the Provincial People's Committee and the Department of Foreign Affairs, attended the celebration.

Speaking at the ceremony, French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet affirmed that 2025 is a special year for Vietnam-France relations. In this new context, the two countries have demonstrated their commitment to strengthening their partnership and special close friendship, a result of a shared history spanning centuries, along with France's steadfast commitment to stand by Vietnam for over 50 years in asserting sovereignty and promoting national development.

French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet speaking at the ceremony. Photo: Huong Trang

The Ambassador recalled the visit to France by General Secretary To Lam in October 2024, when the two sides decided to elevate their relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Subsequently, the state visit to Vietnam by President Emmanuel Macron in May 2025 affirmed and materialized the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries. From concrete steps in diplomacy, trade, energy to education and research, Vietnam-France relations are entering a phase of comprehensive development, aiming for new heights. With mutual trust and the companionship of businesses, organizations, and people of both countries, Ambassador Brochet believes that the future cooperation between Vietnam and France will be increasingly deep, effective, and sustainable.

In her remarks, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang extended warm congratulations to the Government and People of France, as well as French partners in Vietnam, emphasizing that this is an occasion to jointly honor the universal values of "Liberty - Equality - Fraternity" initiated by the French Revolution in 1789, which has also been a great inspiration for nations fighting for independence, including Vietnam.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang speaking. Photo: Huong Trang

With the two countries establishing Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Vietnam is France's first comprehensive partner in ASEAN, and France is the first EU country to have a comprehensive strategic relationship with Vietnam. The Deputy Minister affirmed that this is clear evidence of the stature, political trust, and determination of the leaders and people of both countries to bring bilateral relations into a new era, an era of strong breakthroughs, where both nations develop prosperously.

Based on the valuable foundations of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the efforts of the people of both countries, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang expressed confidence that Vietnam-France relations will continue to reach further, achieving new development achievements, worthy of the potential and expectations of both nations.

Mr. Duong Xuan Huyen, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee exchanges views with Mr. Herve Conan, Director of AFD in Vietnam. Photo: Huong Trang

Within the framework of the ceremony, Mr. Duong Xuan Huyen, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, met on the sidelines with Mr. Herve Conan, Director of AFD in Vietnam, to promote cooperation contents, including the implementation of the project "Enhancing climate change adaptation capacity for infrastructure, improving the environment for socio-economic development in Lang Son province" using AFD funding.

Mai Thu