The visit is of special significance, marking the second official visit to France by General Secretary and President To Lam, as well as the second time the head of the Vietnamese Party and State has attended an international event hosted by France. Notably, the summit is the world’s first space conference held at the level of heads of state.
France is a comprehensive strategic partner of foremost importance in Viet Nam’s foreign policy. The official visit to France by General Secretary and President To Lam demonstrates the special importance both countries attach to bilateral relations and their shared desire to consolidate political trust and further strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership. It also provides an opportunity to set out a long-term vision and translate commitments already reached into concrete programmes, projects, and tangible outcomes.
The visit will also help leverage France’s role in strengthening Viet Nam-European Union (EU) relations and effectively implementing the Viet Nam-EU Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, while enabling Viet Nam and France to serve as strategic gateways for each other in ASEAN and the EU. It also provides an opportunity to further deepen the trust and close rapport between General Secretary and President To Lam and French leaders.
Nearly two years after upgrading their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, Viet Nam and France have recorded encouraging achievements in bilateral cooperation. Underpinned by a high level of political trust, bilateral ties have grown increasingly close, reinforced by mutual support for ideas and initiatives aimed at addressing regional and global challenges.
Economic, trade, and investment cooperation continues to serve as an important pillar of bilateral relations. France is Viet Nam’s fourth-largest trading partner in the EU and ranks 16th among countries and territories investing in Viet Nam. Two-way trade has maintained positive growth, reaching more than 6.3 billion USD in 2025 and 3 billion USD in the first five months of 2026, up 26.9% year on year.
Science and technology cooperation, including in the space sector, has been identified as a new and pivotal pillar with considerable potential to generate breakthroughs in bilateral relations.
One of the key highlights of the visit is General Secretary and President To Lam’s attendance at the Space Summit. Initiated by French President Emmanuel Macron, the summit aims to promote dialogue and strengthen international cooperation in the space sector, thereby contributing to the shaping of norms, rules, and governance frameworks for outer space. More than a specialised multilateral event, the summit carries strategic significance as it focuses on a new frontier for development and competition, reflecting France’s long-term vision for advancing international cooperation in space, satellite technology, security, and technological sovereignty.
General Secretary and President To Lam’s attendance at the Space Summit represents the highest-level implementation of the Party’s major policies and orientations on foreign affairs, international integration, and the development of science, technology, and innovation. These include Politburo's Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW (dated December 22, 2024) on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation,and national digital transformation; Politburo's Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW (dated January 24, 2025) on international integration in the new situation; and the Master Plan on the Effective Exploration and Utilisation of National Outer Space. The visit provides an opportunity for Viet Nam to advance cooperation in science, technology, and aerospace, while enhancing the country’s strategic autonomy in these fields.
The visit also demonstrates Viet Nam’s active support for France’s initiative. Viet Nam seeks to convey a strong message in support of cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space; uphold international mechanisms and treaties governing outer space to safeguard sovereignty and ensure national security and interests; and call on countries to strengthen dialogue and cooperation in addressing challenges facing the global space economy on the basis of equality, mutual benefit, and sustainability. Active participation in multilateral organisations and forums on space science and technology will enable Viet Nam to broaden its engagement and promote substantive cooperation with partners in this field.
General Secretary and President To Lam’s official visit to France and attendance at the Space Summit, accompanied by his spouse and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, will provide fresh and strong impetus to the Viet Nam-France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, advancing bilateral relations in an increasingly substantive, effective,and comprehensive manner. The visit will also open opportunities for Viet Nam to participate in shaping rules, norms, and global governance mechanisms in emerging areas of outer space, thereby making active contributions to realising the country’s development goals in the new era.
