By Isha - May 26, 2025
French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Vietnam yields $10 billion in agreements spanning aviation, energy, infrastructure, healthcare, and education sectors. The deals highlight strengthened economic ties and mutual commitment to issues like climate change and geopolitical stability. Macron emphasizes historical and cultural links, while Vietnamese President Võ Văn Thưởng seeks deeper cooperation in defense and technology, positioning both nations as strategic partners in various fronts.
Mustafa Yalçın via Anadolu Agency
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French President Emmanuel Macron’s official visit to Vietnam has culminated in a series of high-value agreements between the two nations, totaling an estimated $10 billion. The deals, announced during Macron’s two-day diplomatic mission to Hanoi in May 2025, mark a significant strengthening of economic and strategic ties between France and Vietnam. President Macron described the agreements as “a milestone in Franco-Vietnamese relations” and emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing global challenges such as climate change, digital transformation, and geopolitical stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
The agreements span multiple sectors, including aviation, energy, infrastructure, healthcare, and education. A major highlight of the deals includes a substantial aircraft order from Vietnam Airlines to Airbus, which is expected to bolster the airline’s fleet and contribute to Vietnam’s growing role as a regional aviation hub. Additionally, energy cooperation between the two nations is set to expand, with French firms pledging investments in renewable and sustainable power solutions across Vietnam.
The visit also had a strong cultural and diplomatic component. Macron paid homage to the historical ties between France and Vietnam, underscoring shared history, language, and education as foundational elements of their enduring partnership. He visited the French Institute in Hanoi and met with students and young entrepreneurs to promote people-to-people engagement. This visit is Macron’s first to Vietnam as president and comes at a time when France is seeking to reinforce its presence in Southeast Asia, particularly as the European Union pushes for stronger ties with the region.
Vietnamese President Võ Văn Thưởng expressed appreciation for France’s long-standing support and welcomed deeper cooperation in defense, technology, and scientific research. Both leaders reaffirmed a shared commitment to maintaining freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, a region of strategic importance where both countries advocate for adherence to international law. The $10 billion in agreements not only reflect a robust diplomatic relationship but also position France and Vietnam as strategic collaborators on both economic and geopolitical fronts in the years ahead.