Strengthening cooperation between Vietnam and southern localities of France

During the visit and working session from March 6-8 in Hérault province, Occitanie region (southern France), Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang led a delegation of representative agencies to have many discussions with local government representatives, meet with businesses, visit the seafood processing factory of Barba Group, work with Vietnamese lecturers and students studying at IUT Béziers University of Technology, and meet with the Vietnamese community.

In the city of Béziers, one of the oldest towns in France and known as the “wine capital” of the Occitanie region, Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang met and worked with Mayor Robert Ménard, who is also President of the Béziers Méditerranée Urban Community. The two sides discussed many important issues, from higher education to economic cooperation, from cultural exchange to tourism development.

Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang discussed with Mayor of Béziers Robert Ménard about issues of higher education, economic cooperation, cultural exchange and tourism development. (Photo: KHAI HOAN)

Representatives of the Béziers city government also expressed their desire to strengthen cooperation in the field of tourism. Mayor Robert Ménard said: Currently, there are a number of Vietnamese students studying and researching at higher education institutions in Béziers city. They play a role not only as a bridge in the exchange of research knowledge, but also as an “ambassador” to introduce Béziers city to friends and relatives, so that more and more Vietnamese and international tourists will come to France.

Mr. Robert Ménard expressed his desire to attract more Vietnamese students to study at the city’s educational institutions, especially in areas such as automation and artificial intelligence. The two sides also discussed the potential for cooperation between local businesses and Vietnam, focusing on seafood processing and wine production.

At a working session in the coastal town of Valras-Plage, the issues of coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion and climate change were discussed between Mayor Daniel Ballester and Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang. Representatives of the Valras-Plage government expressed deep concern about coastal erosion, an urgent issue that is directly threatening the existence of the town.

Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang also shared similar difficulties that Vietnam is facing, especially in the Mekong Delta region, where rising sea levels are seriously threatening agricultural production and people's lives.

The two sides discussed measures to respond to climate change, from building breakwaters and planting mangroves to working with international experts to find sustainable solutions. Mayor Valras-Plage stressed that climate change is a problem for all of humanity, and that localities in France and Vietnam need to work together to find effective solutions.

Mr. Daniel Ballester, Mayor of Valras-Plage, presented a commemorative medal to Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang. (Photo: MINH DUY)

The two sides also shared common concerns about economic development and enhancing friendly activities.

The Vietnamese Ambassador shared about Vietnam’s economic development achievements, as well as economic cooperation opportunities between the two countries. The two sides discussed measures to enhance economic cooperation, especially in the fields of tourism, agriculture and renewable energy.

The meeting in the coastal town of Valras-Plage, whose economy is largely based on the region's tourism potential, is a testament to the traditional friendship between Vietnam and France.

Thanking the Mayor and people of Valras-Plage for their warm welcome, Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang affirmed Vietnam's commitment to strengthening cooperation with France in all fields. The Mayor of Valras-Plage also expressed his interest in establishing a sister city relationship with a locality with similar conditions in Vietnam.

Mr. François Xavier Lauch, Governor of Hérault province, highly appreciated the contributions of the Vietnamese community to the local economic development. (Photo: MINH DUY)

Within the framework of the working trip, the working session between Governor of Hérault Province François Xavier Lauch and Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang was an opportunity for both sides to affirm the deep and strong friendship between Vietnam and France.

Governor François Xavier Lauch expressed his appreciation for the Vietnamese community living, studying and working in the province for their many positive contributions to the local development. He emphasized that the Vietnamese community has become an important bridge in the effort to maintain and develop friendly relations between the two countries.

On this occasion, Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang expressed his sincere thanks to local leaders for their attention and support for the Vietnamese community. The Ambassador affirmed that the presence of the Vietnamese community in many provinces and cities in southern France such as Marseille, Nice and Montpellier has made a clear mark because of its many contributions to local economic development in particular and promoting bilateral cooperation in many fields in general.

The two sides focused their discussions on areas of mutual interest, including climate change response, education, seafood processing, economic and cultural exchanges. Governor François Xavier Lauch affirmed that the historical ties, the dynamism of the two economies and the need to face common challenges together create great potential for cooperation between the two sides.

Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang expressed his interest in the faculty's curriculum, which has Vietnamese students studying there. (Photo: KHAI HOAN)

The field of education and human resource training is one of the focuses of the visit and work in the south of France. Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang had an important meeting and exchange with the IUT Béziers University of Technology.

The Ambassador stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation between educational institutions of the two countries, especially in the fields of information technology, artificial intelligence, automation and international trade.

In order to promote and expand cooperation between Vietnam and France in the fields of education and scientific research, the Ambassador proposed expanding student and lecturer exchange programs, as well as building joint training programs between universities of the two countries.

At a meeting and exchange with about 20 local French businesses, Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang said: Vietnam is currently an attractive destination for foreign investors, with its strategic location and dynamic economy. The Ambassador called on French businesses to increase investment in Vietnam, especially in the fields of high technology, renewable energy and infrastructure.

Barba Group's red tuna products have a great reputation in the restaurant industry. (Photo: MINH DUY)

Among them, Barba Group is a family business with a history of nearly 100 years in the seafood industry, affirming its leading position in France and expanding to the international market. Currently, this processing group is diversifying its products, expanding its activities to export seafood all over the world, especially considering the Vietnamese market in the future.

The visit and work in Hérault province recorded the great interest and close affection of the French government, businesses and local people. Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang and the French local leaders agreed that the official visit to France by General Secretary and President To Lam in early October 2024 created an extremely important momentum for developing bilateral cooperation in many fields.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/tang-cuong-hop-tac-giua-viet-nam-va-cac-tinh-phia-nam-ch-phap-post863941.html