The Vietnam-France Business Forum, organized by the Ministry of Finance of Vietnam, the Embassy of Vietnam in France, and the French Business Confederation (MEDEF), was a significant event with the presence of prominent figures. Mr. Laurent Saint-Martin, Minister for Foreign Trade, represented the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with leaders from various Vietnamese ministries and a large number of business representatives and investors from both countries.
MEDEF, the voice of approximately 750,000 French businesses, boasts an impressive roster of well-known corporations, including TotalEnergies, EDF, L’Oréal, BNP Paribas, Danone, Airbus, Safran, and Thales. MEDEF International, its global arm, represents 180,000 companies worldwide.
Mr. François Corbin, Chairman of the MEDEF International France-Vietnam Business Council, expressed admiration for Vietnam’s high growth over decades and its environmental protection efforts. He believed that the two economies are complementary and mutually beneficial, fostering stronger bilateral relations.
Mr. Corbin highlighted two distinctive strengths of French businesses: their commitment to technology transfer and local talent development, and their alignment with Vietnam’s expectations and determination for technological autonomy.
The two countries also share a long history of cultural, educational, and healthcare cooperation, providing a solid foundation for their relationship. The political and diplomatic ties between Vietnam and France are strong, as affirmed by Mr. Corbin, who noted the “new vitality and momentum” in their relations and the vast potential for trade growth.
In his speech, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the centuries-old connection between Vietnam and France, highlighting major French-influenced projects in Vietnam, such as the North-South railway, Long Bien Bridge, the Hanoi Opera House, and the Pasteur Institutes in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Nha Trang.
The Prime Minister underscored the importance of culture and the traditional cultural cooperation between the two countries, stating that culture is the colorful and melodic bond between the two nations.
However, the most enduring aspect is the place that the people of each country hold in the hearts of the other. This, the Prime Minister stated, is the foundation for the inevitable development and close, effective cooperation between Vietnam and France, especially in the current context.
To achieve its centennial goals by 2030 and 2045, Vietnam aims for economic growth of 8% this year and double digits in subsequent years. To this end, Vietnam is vigorously implementing three strategic breakthroughs: institutional reform, infrastructure development, and human resource enhancement, focusing on intelligent governance and improving workforce quality.
The Prime Minister elaborated on Vietnam’s strategic “state transformation” orientations, including building an independent and autonomous economy integrated with substantive and effective international engagement.
He discussed the ongoing revolution in government organization, administrative boundary adjustments, the establishment of a two-tier local government system, administrative procedure reduction, and a shift from passively receiving work to proactively serving citizens and businesses. Other priorities include breakthroughs in science, technology, and innovation; digital transformation; law-making and enforcement; private sector development; and international integration.
The Prime Minister emphasized the crucial role of the two governments in creating a legal framework and enabling environment for businesses to connect the two economies and elevate their cooperation.
He encouraged enterprises to collaborate on projects involving artificial intelligence, semiconductors, information technology, transportation infrastructure, logistics, railways, climate change responses, green agriculture, energy transition, industrial and civil real estate, tourism infrastructure, cultural industry, and space, ocean, and underground space exploration.
The Prime Minister and delegates witnessed the signing of cooperation documents between enterprises and corporations of the two countries – Photo: VGP
The Prime Minister called on businesses to build upon their traditional cooperation, promoting efficient and sustainable development in both countries and contributing to their prosperity. He suggested a new approach to project implementation, emphasizing the importance of intellect, timely decision-making, and avoiding time waste. He also requested a focus on technology transfer, local talent development, and the utilization of local materials.
During the event, the Prime Minister and delegates witnessed the signing of cooperation documents between enterprises and corporations of the two countries.
On the morning of June 11, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also received leaders of leading French and European corporations, including Thales, EDF, Airbus, and Safran, discussing potential cooperation and investment opportunities.
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