“FPT Chairman Truong Gia Binh Proposes “Co-existence” Strategy with French Businesses”

The Vietnam-France Business Forum, held during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Vietnam, brought together representatives from nearly 50 leading Vietnamese and French businesses in aviation, banking and finance, energy, retail, healthcare, and education. This inaugural forum marked a significant step forward in strengthening economic ties between the two nations.

The event was co-chaired by Mr. Truong Gia Binh, Chairman of FPT, and Mr. Benoit Clocheret, CEO of Artelia Group.

Vietnamese participants included the Vietnam Software and IT Services Association (VINASA) and prominent companies such as FPT, Vietjet, CMC, BIDV, BRG, and TH. The French side was represented by MEDEF, CCIFV, CCE, Business France, and leading companies such as Airbus, Alstom, TotalEnergies, Odyssey, Thales, Suez, EDF, SNCF, and Systra.

This forum aimed to foster business collaborations between France and Vietnam by strengthening joint ventures and partnerships between leading corporations from both countries. Additionally, it sought to attract more French businesses of various sizes and sectors to Vietnam and encourage Vietnamese corporations to seek growth opportunities in France.

During the event, FPT and Odyssey Education (France) signed a Letter of Intent, marking the beginning of a strategic partnership to bring high-quality French educational programs to Vietnam. Odyssey Education is an international French education group that offers French education from preschool to high school, with 13 campuses across Europe, North Africa, and Southeast Asia. They are recognized by AEFE, an agency under the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for their contribution to the global French education network.

With science and technology, and innovation being prioritized for Vietnam’s advancement in the new era, and France identifying these fields as pivotal for its future development, collaboration between businesses in these sectors is expected to leverage France’s strengths and drive comprehensive breakthroughs for Vietnam.

Speaking at the forum, Mr. Truong Gia Binh, Chairman of FPT, emphasized the deep-rooted relationship between Vietnam and France, rooted in history and culture. He expressed FPT’s commitment to accompanying Vietnamese and French businesses in building new economic relationships that reflect the dynamism of both nations.

The Vietnam-France Business Forum serves as a catalyst for forging new economic relationships and opportunities. To support French businesses in navigating global challenges, Mr. Binh proposed a “co-presence” strategy, encouraging French enterprises to establish a presence in markets where FPT is expanding its workforce.

“While France and Vietnam face distinct challenges, we also share similar paths in sustainable development, industrial digitalization, and social transformation,” said Mr. Benoit Clocheret, CEO of Artelia Group. “That’s why we encourage forum members to establish joint ventures and partnerships in both countries, attract more French businesses to Vietnam, and support Vietnamese corporations in expanding into the French market.”

The forum also featured a roundtable discussion, offering insights into market analysis, business experiences, and bilateral cooperation opportunities between Vietnamese and French enterprises. Participants from both countries expressed strong interest in forming strategic partnerships in key sectors such as sustainable energy, urban development, modern transportation, healthcare, retail, IT talent development, and financial services.

Mr. Pham Minh Tuan, Deputy General Director of FPT and General Director of FPT Software, reaffirmed FPT’s commitment to accompanying French businesses in Vietnam and globally, particularly in developing a high-quality workforce proficient in advanced technologies and effective collaboration in a multicultural environment.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, France is Vietnam’s fifth-largest European trading partner, with a trade turnover of 5.42 billion USD in 2024, a 12.9% increase from 2023. In terms of investment, France ranks 16th out of 147 countries and territories investing in Vietnam, with 700 valid projects and a total registered capital of 3.95 billion USD. Meanwhile, Vietnam has 20 investment projects in France, with a total registered capital of 38.93 million USD.

FPT expanded into France in 2008, making it the first European country in the company’s global footprint. Since then, FPT has collaborated with leading global corporations such as Airbus, La Poste, Air Liquide, Quadient, Canal+, Sagemcom, SNCF, and Geopost, among others.

In 2023, FPT’s subsidiary in France was recognized among the top 100 IT companies in the country, underscoring FPT’s growing influence in the French market. That same year, FPT enhanced its local capabilities by acquiring a majority stake in AOSIS, a French IT consulting company specializing in SAP, data, cloud computing, and smart solutions for the aviation and transportation industries.

To foster cultural and professional connections, FPT established the FPT Francophone Association to develop French-speaking human resources and promote business and cultural exchanges. Most recently, in May 2025, FPT was the only Vietnamese enterprise to attend the “Choose France” Summit in Paris, demonstrating its long-term commitment to the French and European markets and its desire for strategic collaborations in AI, semiconductors, transportation, energy, and education.