A delegation from the Vietnamese Embassy led by Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang visited Hérault province in France’s Occitanie region from March 6-8, aiming to strengthen local-level cooperation.
.PNG)
The trip formed part of diplomatic activities following the recent upgrade of Vietnam-France relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
During a meeting with Ambassador Thang, Hérault Governor François Xavier Lauch praised the strong Vietnam-France friendship and the positive integration of the Vietnamese community in Herault, calling them a vital bridge between the two nations.
Thang underscored the long-standing presence of Vietnamese communities in southern France, notably in Marseille, Nice, and Montpellier, highlighting their contributions to local development and bilateral cooperation.
Both sides reaffirmed their historic ties, reflected in high-level visits such as Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam’s visit to France in October 2024 and the earlier visit of France’s Defence Minister to Vietnam on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory in May.
Ambassador Thang briefed his host on Vietnam’s rapid socio-economic development and its increasing global integration, expressing a hope for new collaboration opportunities. Discussions focused on shared interests, including climate change response, education, seafood processing, economic exchange, and cultural cooperation.
In Béziers, one of France’s oldest towns and a renowned wine capital, Thang met with Mayor Robert Ménard. Their talks covered higher education, economic partnerships, cultural exchange, and tourism development.
He also visited the Béziers University Institute of Technology (IUT Béziers), where many Vietnamese students are studying. Mayor Menard expressed a desire to attract more Vietnamese students, particularly in robotics and artificial intelligence.
They also discussed business collaboration, especially in seafood processing and wine production. The Béziers mayor expressed his hope for enhanced tourism ties and more Vietnamese visitors to southern France.
In the coastal town of Valras-Plage, climate change and coastal erosion topped discussions between Thang and Mayor Daniel Ballester.
Ballester voiced concerns about rising sea levels and saltwater intrusion threatening local vineyards despite protective measures like seawalls.
Thang shared Vietnam’s similar challenges in the Mekong Delta and proposed joint research on sustainable solutions, including mangrove reforestation and artificial reef development./.
VNA
