Beyond mere trade, investment, and education figures, the Vietnam-France relationship requires a new strategic perspective - one where both nations act as vital “gateways” to bridge Asia and Europe.

Following French President Emmanuel Macron’s landmark visit to Vietnam, Professor Nguyen Duc Khuong, Executive Director of Léonard de Vinci Business School and Chairman of AVSE Global, shared with VietNamNet a fresh strategic vision for bilateral ties. Prof. Khuong is a leading Vietnamese scholar influential in France and the global academic community.

A symbolic state visit

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Professor Nguyen Duc Khuong. Photo: Le Anh Dung

Professor Khuong, as someone who has lived and worked in France for many years and served as a global connector for Vietnamese intellectuals, what is the significance of President Macron’s visit to Vietnam?

President Macron’s visit to Vietnam holds immense symbolic value. Over a century ago, President Ho Chi Minh traveled to France in search of national salvation. Today, Vietnam cooperates with France as an independent nation with growing influence and international standing.

France has few comprehensive strategic partners in Asia, and Vietnam is one of the rare ones. This partnership reflects deep mutual trust and strategic alignment. Both countries are striving to assert their roles in a multipolar world through cooperation in economy, investment, education, healthcare, science, and especially culture - the most enduring form of soft power.

Two strategic gateways

You once said, “Vietnam is France’s gateway to Asia and Africa; France is Vietnam’s gateway to Europe.” Could you elaborate on this strategic vision?

This is a mutually strategic, balanced relationship. Vietnam is centrally located in Southeast Asia, a hub for global supply chains, and enjoys strong ties with Northeast Asian nations such as China, Japan, and South Korea. It also has goodwill and growing influence in Africa. Meanwhile, France remains a key player in the European Union’s political and economic governance.

Crucially, both countries seek partners that share a sustainable development vision. France is actively redefining its role in the Indo-Pacific, especially post-Brexit and amid rising U.S.-China tensions. With the U.S. considering steep tariffs on Asian and European imports - potentially up to 50% - this context only highlights the urgency of deeper Vietnam-France ties.

France also aims to regain its foothold in Africa - where Vietnam is admired and respected. Vietnam, for its part, is becoming a critical link in global supply chains with its investor-friendly policies.

Through France, Vietnam can penetrate Europe’s demanding market and expand cooperation in multiple sectors to match its ambition for global integration.

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General Secretary To Lam meets with French President Emmanuel Macron on May 26. Photo: Pham Hai

Historically, President Ho Chi Minh maintained a respectful view of French culture and people. Many French intellectuals supported his cause due to their values of freedom, democracy, peace, and civilization. France was also among the earliest advocates for lifting the US embargo on Vietnam.

Understanding this cultural synergy, Vietnamese leaders - like former Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet - chose France as one of the first countries to deepen ties after opening up. Today, this is no longer just friendship, but a strategic partnership aimed at long-term intercontinental cooperation.

Imagine a collaborative corridor: Vietnam - ASEAN - France - EU - Africa. From logistics, agriculture, healthcare, education, to high-tech and renewable energy, this value chain has immense potential.

Bridging vision and execution

Despite such prospects, bilateral trade still hovers around only USD 5 billion. Why the gap?

A foreign colleague once told me he had never met friendlier people than the Vietnamese. We're open, sociable, and warm. In contrast, the French may seem reserved at first, but once trust is earned, they form deep, lasting bonds. They shun superficial connections.

This cultural difference extends into business. French companies adhere strictly to corporate social responsibility - environmental standards, transparency, human rights. They evaluate projects based not only on profitability but also long-term community and environmental impact.

This could explain why many promising French projects have yet to launch in Vietnam. Our planning often lacks a long-term approach. For example, the French plan urban railways 30-40 years in advance; in Vietnam, land is often cleared only once construction begins. After MOUs are signed, projects often lack dedicated follow-through.

French companies expect sustained commitment. I know of century-old French-built infrastructure in Vietnam where they still send maintenance updates. Their approach is deeply responsible, with long-term documentation and vision.

Bureaucracy is another major hurdle. Many French companies have told me they don’t know where to apply for permits, which ministry to approach, or who to contact. The lack of a clear liaison point deters even eager investors.

The French "100-year mindset" - a lesson for Vietnam

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Speaking with students at the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi, President Emmanuel Macron affirmed that France will support Vietnam in talent development. Photo: Pham Hai

So, this “100-year mindset” is both a barrier and a lesson?

Absolutely. In France, every major project has a century-long vision. They pre-plan land clearance, assess social and environmental impacts, and focus on sustainability. Our lack of such foresight raises costs, weakens management, and erodes partner trust.

A French businessperson once told me, “I don’t know which ministry to contact if a problem arises.” This is a soft barrier we must address to attract high-quality investment.

Three pillars of a long-term strategic partnership

If you had to select three pillars for a strategic Vietnam-France partnership, what would they be?

General Secretary To Lam emphasized four key resolutions by the Politburo on science and technology, international integration, private sector development, and legal reform. These form the institutional foundation for progress.

To deepen cooperation, we need to focus on sustainable sectors. This is not just about exports; it’s about jointly developing science and technology and co-expanding into third markets.

My three pillars would be: trade and investment, technology, and cultural-socio-political ties.

On trade, key sectors include textiles, footwear, agriculture, and seafood. While Vietnamese goods penetrate the broader EU, our presence in France remains limited - not due to quality but due to a lack of specialized experts on the French and EU markets. With French support and collaboration, Vietnamese products can go deeper into the EU.

On technology, France leads in clean energy, healthcare, environmental science, and AI. They not only have cutting-edge tech but excel at commercialization. Vietnam must embrace this not through passive transfers but through adaptive co-development - from food processing to clean tech.

Culturally and politically, mutual trust is built here. France’s Vision 2030 highlights Asia-Pacific, with Vietnam as a gateway. Conversely, Vietnam sees France as a key to accessing Europe and Africa. When both see each other as "gateways," the partnership becomes a central component of long-term strategy - not a short-term choice.

From friends to strategic companions

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Professor Nguyen Duc Khuong. Photo: Le Anh Dung

What’s the key to turning these ideas into reality?

Vietnam needs a multi-agency, accountable coordination mechanism where French businesses know who to contact for support and guidance at every project phase.

We must also cultivate professionals with deep knowledge of French law, culture, and markets - “soft connectors.” I know Vietnamese companies with EU-standard products that couldn’t enter the French market simply due to a lack of guidance.

Your remarks highlight a deeper truth: Vietnam and France aren’t just friends, but strategic companions for a new era.

Exactly. We need partners who share long-term visions. If this handshake endures, it could create a cooperative corridor bridging Asia and Europe.

Thank you, Professor, for an inspiring and insightful conversation. Perhaps what Vietnam needs most right now isn’t just friends, but strategic companions - like France. A new chapter is opening, one of trust, standards, and shared futures.

About the expert:

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duc Khuong is Executive Director of Léonard de Vinci Business School and Chairman of AVSE Global (Association of Vietnamese Scientists and Experts Global).

In July 2017, he was appointed to the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Group under Nguyen Xuan Phuc. In February 2016, RePEc ranked him among the world’s top 200 young economists and seventh overall.

He continues to support Vietnam’s development, especially in digital economy, knowledge economy, sustainability, IT, finance, energy policy, FDI, and talent attraction.

He has overseen numerous major policy consultation projects for Vietnam through AVSE Global’s expert network.

Thanh Hue