Tổng Bí thư, Chủ tịch nước Tô Lâm đến Paris, bắt đầu thăm chính thức Cộng hòa Pháp
The visit aims to position France and Vietnam as strategic bridges to the EU and ASEAN while focusing on space governance, green transition, and digital transformation.
General Secretary and President To Lam arrived at Orly Airport in the early hours of Thursday, 10 September 2026, to begin an official visit to the French Republic. Invited by President Emmanuel Macron, the visit combines high-level bilateral diplomacy with the world's first head-of-state summit dedicated to outer space.
The arrival follows a state visit to the Russian Federation from 7 to 9 September 2026. According to Vneconomy, the delegation departed Moscow on the evening of 9 September after the two nations issued a joint statement on strengthening their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, specifically prioritizing security-defense as a strategic pillar and energy-oil and gas as a strategic breakthrough.
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Welcoming the delegation at Orly Airport were French Minister of the Interior Laurent Nuñez, French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet, and representatives from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Protocol Department, as reported by Vietnamnet. The reception also included Vietnamese Ambassador to France Trinh Duc Hai and his spouse, Nguyen Thi Van Anh, Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to UNESCO, along with members of the local Vietnamese community.
The 2026–2028 Action Plan and Strategic Integration
Diplomatic ties between Vietnam and France were officially established on 12 April 1973. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang, according to Mekongasean, stated that a priority for this visit is the effective implementation of the 2026–2028 Action Plan.
This framework is intended to shift the bilateral relationship toward deeper, more substantive cooperation by connecting French strengths in strategic technology, innovation, and strategic technological industries with Vietnam's evolving development needs. Both governments seek to establish each other as strategic entry points—France acting as a gateway for Vietnam into the European Union, and Vietnam serving as a bridge for France into the ASEAN market, according to Vietnamnet.
The visit is expected to generate a stronger shift in economic, trade, and investment cooperation. Both nations intend to make science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation the new drivers of their relationship.
| Strategic Dimension | Focus Areas |
|---|---|
| Emerging Sectors | New energy, green transition, climate change, transport infrastructure, and digital transformation. |
| Traditional Pillars | Culture, healthcare, education, agriculture, justice, and local government cooperation. |
| Security & Governance | Defense-security and international space law. |
Vietnam's Role in Global Space Governance
A primary objective of the visit is the International Space Summit in Paris. Chaired by President Emmanuel Macron, the event has gathered officials, astronauts, researchers, and business leaders from nearly 100 countries. According to Khoahocdoisong, this is the first time heads of state have convened specifically to discuss the future of the space industry and the creation of global governance rules.
Vietnam's participation at the highest level is intended to allow the country to help shape international standards for emerging fields. These include space traffic management, orbital data sharing, and frequency management. By engaging early in these processes, Vietnam aims to ensure that space governance is developed in a way that is equitable, sustainable, and serves the common interests of humanity, according to Vov.
This involvement reflects Vietnam's desire to be an active and responsible participant in resolving global issues. Through this summit, Vietnam seeks to open substantive cooperation and contact with international partners in a field that is becoming increasingly strategic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Space Summit a strategic priority for Vietnam?
It allows Vietnam to participate in the earliest stages of defining rules for space surveillance, data management, and frequency coordination, ensuring the country is a contributor to their formation rather than just a consumer of the rules.
How does the 2026-2028 Action Plan differ from previous cooperation?
The plan seeks to move beyond traditional trade and culture, positioning digital transformation, science, and "green" technology as the primary drivers of the bilateral relationship.
What is the "strategic bridge" concept mentioned in the reports?
It is a mutual geopolitical arrangement where France supports Vietnam's integration into the EU, while Vietnam facilitates French economic and political access to the ASEAN region.
The immediate focus for the diplomatic delegations is now the concrete implementation of the 2026–2028 Action Plan through specific programs and projects designed to turn the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into tangible results.
This French visit follows a dense diplomatic schedule for President To Lam. In Moscow on 9 September, he received the Lev N. Tolstoy International Peace Prize and attended the opening of a communicable disease prevention and control laboratory at the Russia-Vietnam Joint Tropical Research and Technology Center in Hanoi, according to VOV and Vneconomy.
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