During Vietnamese President To Lam’s recent visit to Paris, Vietnam and France formally upgraded their bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, Vietnam’s highest degree of diplomatic connection. This significant movement highlights Vietnam’s crucial role in international supply chains, establishing it as a vital French ally and demonstrating its flexible foreign strategy, sometimes known as “bamboo diplomacy.”
Lam and French President Emmanuel Macron reached a consensus to enhance collaboration in multiple areas, with a specific emphasis on defence and security. The partnership’s foundation was further strengthened by the announcement on Monday of new areas of collaboration, which included improvements in artificial intelligence, aircraft, and airport transportation infrastructure.
With eight countries, Vietnam currently has complete strategic alliances, exhibiting its expanding impact. These important allies also include South Korea, Japan, Australia, China, India, and Russia in addition to France.
According to official figures, commerce between Vietnam and France has been growing, with total trade transactions reaching US$3.4 billion in the first eight months of 2024, up 6.9% from the same period the previous year. This economic expansion highlights the significance of the strengthened relations and portends a future in which both countries would benefit.
