General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam To Lam, his spouse and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation have concluded their official visit to the French Republic and attendance at the International Space Summit in Paris, France.

The visit by General Secretary and President To Lam was of great significance at both bilateral and multilateral levels. It marked a vigorous step in implementing the foreign policy adopted at the 14th National Party Congress, helping create a favourable external environment for Viet Nam in its new era of development, while mobilising and harnessing international resources for national development.

The visit provided an opportunity for the two countries’ leaders to further consolidate political trust, strengthen coordination of positions at multilateral forums, and generate high-level political momentum to deepen the Viet Nam–France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in an increasingly substantive and effective manner. It also provided fresh impetus for bilateral economic cooperation to develop commensurate with the stature of political relations, while paving the way for an important shift in new areas of strategic cooperation — from academic research towards joint research and the transfer of core technologies in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum technology, outer space, transport infrastructure and renewable energy.

General Secretary and President To Lam’s attendance at the Space Summit brought Viet Nam’s voice and perspectives to efforts to shape the governance of outer space in the interests of peace, safety, sustainability and equity, and for the common benefit of humanity. It thereby further affirmed Viet Nam’s image as a proactive, active and responsible member of the international community in addressing global issues.

Creating breakthroughs in bilateral cooperation

Following the solemn welcome ceremony at the Élysée Palace, General Secretary and President To Lam held talks with President Emmanuel Macron. This was the third meeting between the two leaders in less than two years, reflecting the dynamism of bilateral relations and the importance that Viet Nam and France attach to fully implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework established during General Secretary and President To Lam’s visit to France in October 2024.

Regarding future cooperation, General Secretary and President To Lam and President Emmanuel Macron agreed to maintain regular high-level and other exchanges across all channels including Party, Government, National Assembly and people-to-people exchanges, while effectively implementing existing cooperation mechanisms and exploring ways to deepen sector-specific cooperation to meet development needs in the new context.

In defence and security, the two sides agreed to continue promoting effective cooperation and expand collaboration in military medical training, as well as coordination and information-sharing in combating crime, particularly organised and transnational crime. Viet Nam proposed that France continue supporting efforts to address the consequences of war, particularly in locating missing servicemen and exchanging wartime memorabilia.

In the fields of economics, trade, and investment, the two leaders agreed to pursue new, strategic and long-term areas of cooperation within the framework of the comprehensive strategic partnership; focus on developing strategic industries and services with strong spillover effects; and, in particular, promote value-chain cooperation based on the model of French technology – Vietnamese manufacturing – regional and global supply, with a view to bringing the two countries’ key products, including processed and manufactured goods and agricultural and food products, into global supply chains.

General Secretary and President To Lam called on both sides to continue effectively implementing the framework of the Viet Nam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA); urged France to soon complete the ratification of the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to create new momentum for investors; and called for the European Commission (EC) to remove the “yellow card” warning imposed on the country’s seafood exports by the EC over illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing at an early date, supporting Viet Nam in developing sustainable fisheries.

Sharing a vision for the future, the two leaders agreed to make full use of France’s strengths as a leading scientific power in Europe, officially making science and technology cooperation a new and key pillar of bilateral relations. Breakthrough efforts will focus on strategic areas such as aerospace, critical minerals, quantum technology, clean energy, and research serving sustainable development and the response to climate change.

The two countries should expand scientific research, including space science, and transfer technology to enable Viet Nam to master technologies, while France should support Viet Nam in gradually developing quantum technology.

The two sides agreed to fully unlock the potential of traditional areas of cooperation and shift towards more inclusive and effective models of partnership.

On the occasion, the General Secretary and President called on France to continue creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in France to integrate more deeply and develop strongly; and to establish mechanisms to maximise the potential of Vietnamese experts, intellectuals, and scientists, enabling them both to contribute to their host country and to promote bilateral relations.

General Secretary and President To Lam and President Emmanuel Macron witnessed the signing and exchange of a number of important cooperation documents between ministries and sectors of the two countries in such fields as security, healthcare, aerospace, science and technology, and critical minerals, vividly demonstrating the stature of the two countries’ comprehensive cooperation.

On the occasion, the two sides issued a joint statement on promoting the implementation of the comprehensive strategic partnership framework between the two countries.

In a meeting with Fabien Roussel, National Secretary of the French Communist Party, General Secretary and President To Lam expressed his hope that the French Communist Party would continue to leverage its role and prestige to make practical contributions to strengthening political trust and fostering cooperation between the two nations.

Regarding relations between the two Parties, General Secretary and President To Lam proposed maintaining delegation exchanges, enhancing theoretical discussions on issues of mutual interest, and effectively utilising the theoretical seminar mechanism. He also called for expanded cooperation among media agencies, organisations, localities, and the youth of both countries, as well as strengthened coordination at multilateral political party forums, thereby contributing to the strengthening of progressive, peace-oriented, and cooperative movements worldwide.

General Secretary and President To Lam and French President Emmanuel Macron met with leaders from leading corporations and enterprises of both France and Viet Nam.

At the meeting, representatives from the ministries and agencies of both sides delivered welcoming remarks and summarised the outcomes of the discussions held by the two countries’ corporations and enterprises. The frank and open exchanges, alongside substantive and dedicated proposals from the business communities of both nations, demonstrated that Vietnamese and French enterprises not only recognise the potential for cooperation but are actively seeking new cooperation models, products, and methods to jointly create new value.

After hearing the reports and exchanges, General Secretary and President To Lam addressed the meeting, stating that the most essential task at this moment is to jointly establish a new quality of economic cooperation—one that is more substantive, balanced, and technologically advanced, with stronger integration, delivering concrete and practical benefits to the enterprises and people of both countries.

The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework has ushered in a promising new journey. We possess a solid foundation of trust, a shared strategic vision, and strong determination. The phase of establishing the framework has concluded; we have now entered the phase of implementation and tangible results—a time for both sides to take decisive action and propel economic cooperation to new heights.

General Secretary and President To Lam, his spouse, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation laid a wreath at the Ho Chi Minh Monument in Montreau Park in Montreuil; visited the Ho Chi Minh Space at the Museum of Living History in Montreau Park; visited and worked with the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), and witnessed the ceremony for the exchange of cooperation documents and agreements; visited and held a working session with a technology research centre of Thales Group in the Paris-Saclay science and technology cluster, and toured a cleanroom laboratory researching semiconductors and advanced materials; and met with a number of Vietnamese technology experts in France, among other activities.

General Secretary and President To Lam, his spouse, and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation met with officials and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy and representatives of the Vietnamese community in France.

General Secretary and President To Lam said that a number of policies and measures had recently been adopted to better protect the legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese people living abroad; support them in preserving and promoting their national identity; and create favourable conditions for overseas Vietnamese to strengthen their ties with their homeland. The Party and State will continue to comprehensively improve institutions, mechanisms, and policies in a consistent, open, and breakthrough manner, enabling Vietnamese people living abroad to participate more extensively in the country's socio-economic life and play a greater role as partners and contributors to national development in the new era.

Highlighting the role of Vietnamese intellectuals, scientists, experts, and businesspeople in France, the General Secretary and President To Lam expressed his hope that the Vietnamese community in France would strongly embrace the spirit of Resolution No. 23-NQ/TW; continue to uphold the tradition of solidarity, mutual care and assistance, integration, and development; build an image of a dynamic, responsible community with a strong sense of national identity; continue to foster the friendship between the two countries; and actively contribute to the country's development.

As for the younger generation, whether born in Viet Nam or elsewhere, always take pride in your Vietnamese identity and regard it as a valuable asset as you grow and mature; make every effort to preserve the Vietnamese language, study hard, care for your families, and, whenever the opportunity arises, contribute to building your homeland.

Contributing to shaping of outer space governance for common good of humanity

A notable highlight of the visit was General Secretary and President To Lam's participation in the Space Summit, where he delivered an important speech opening the high-level thematic session on the theme “Building a New Space for a Rapidly Changing World.” This was the first of three high-level thematic sessions held as part of the summit.

The summit brought together heads of state and government, leaders of national space agencies, international organisations, and businesses, as well as aerospace researchers from around 130 countries worldwide, and featured a live connection with the International Space Station (ISS).

General Secretary and President To Lam affirmed that outer space has become an essential part of modern life and the modern economy. However, the rapid expansion of space activities is also posing numerous challenges relating to space debris, collisions, orbits, frequencies, militarisation, appropriation, the technological divide, and the increasingly prominent role of the private sector. The international community therefore needs a multilateral governance framework to ensure that outer space remains peaceful, safe, sustainable, and accessible to all; promote innovation and the space economy; and convert data into knowledge, services, and better decisions for the benefit of Earth.

In this regard, Viet Nam emphasises five principles. First, outer space must be preserved for peaceful purposes through dialogue, confidence-building, conflict prevention and the prevention of an arms race, with no threat or use of force. Second, people and development on Earth must remain at the centre, with priority given to disaster early warning, climate monitoring, resource management and the Sustainable Development Goals. Third, international law and the Charter of the United Nations must be upheld, with the United Nations and the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) at the centre of multilateral governance of outer space, while strengthening the role of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Fourth, equality among countries must be ensured in accessing and benefiting from the achievements of research and technology. Fifth, outer space must be used responsibly, transparently and sustainably, while reducing space debris and the risk of collisions.

At the Conference, General Secretary and President To Lam proposed an initiative under which Viet Nam, France, the United Nations, ASEAN and partners would work together to establish a “Space for Development and Resilience” network, focusing on sharing and utilising space data for development, enhancing capacity to ensure safe and sustainable space activities, and connecting research, training, businesses and investment to develop the space economy. The network could initially focus on Southeast Asia, with Viet Nam ready to serve as a hub for connectivity.

On the occasion of attending the International Space Summit, General Secretary and President To Lam also held meetings and discussions with the President of Serbia, the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, the President of the Republic of the Congo, the President of Finland, the Prime Minister of Luxembourg and the President of the European Commission (EC) to promote cooperative relations with these important partners.

General Secretary and President To Lam’s working trip received widespread attention from the French media, with emphasis placed on the “unprecedented” pace of high-level exchanges, increasingly concrete cooperation outcomes and the convergence of strategic visions between the two countries. French media outlets also assessed that the visit would provide fresh impetus for deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with a focus on future-oriented areas.

With a series of prominent and breakthrough outcomes, the official visit to the French Republic and attendance at the Space Summit in Paris, by General Secretary and President To Lam and the high-level Vietnamese delegation have left a historic mark on Viet Nam-France relations, opening a new chapter of dynamic, increasingly profound, substantive and effective cooperation between the two countries.