During a visit to Paris, Vietnamese President To Lam announced that Vietnam and France have elevated their relations to a “comprehensive strategic partnership,” marking the highest level of diplomatic ties for Vietnam.
The recent development highlights Vietnam’s growing significance as a crucial component in global supply chains, marking yet another achievement for its adaptive foreign policy often referred to as “bamboo diplomacy.”
Following the upgrade, a joint statement from Lam and French President Emmanuel Macron detailed their discussions about enhancing security and defense cooperation.
The leaders reached an agreement to enhance collaboration in emerging sectors, including aerospace, artificial intelligence, and airport transport infrastructure, the statement noted.
In recent years, Vietnam has solidified its position in the global market by establishing key partnerships with seven major countries: the United States, China, India, South Korea, Japan, Russia, and Australia.
In the first eight months of this year, the total trade turnover between Vietnam and France reached $3.4 billion, reflecting a 6.9% increase compared to the same period in 2023, according to official data.
