Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Luong Hoang Thai holds talks with French minister to deepen cooperation

On October 19, 2026, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), Deputy Minister Luong Hoang Thai held a working session with Eleonore Caroit, Minister Delegate for Francophonie, International Partnerships and French Nationals Abroad, attached to the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, to discuss directions for strengthening cooperation between Viet Nam and France in the coming period.

The French delegation included Didier Le Bret, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Viet Nam, and senior representatives of Agence Française de Développement (AFD). The Vietnamese side comprised leaders and officials from MoIT-affiliated units, including the Department of Foreign Market Development and Multilateral Trade, the Electricity Authority, the Viet Nam Industry Agency and the Viet Nam Department of Geology and Minerals.

Advancing substantive and effective Viet Nam - France cooperation

At the meeting, Deputy Minister Luong Hoang Thai extended a warm welcome to Minister Delegate Eleonore Caroit, Ambassador Didier Le Bret and the French delegation on their visit to the MoIT. He also commended the positive achievements in bilateral cooperation in recent years.

The Deputy Minister emphasized that the Viet Nam - France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership provides an important foundation for the two countries to further expand cooperation across various sectors, capitalize on their respective strengths and foster mutual complementarity.

He noted that maintaining regular exchanges and strengthening coordination between the relevant authorities of the two countries are of practical significance in translating the cooperation orientations agreed upon by their senior leaders into concrete action.

Against this backdrop, the Deputy Minister expressed his hope that France would continue working closely with the MoIT and relevant Vietnamese authorities to promote cooperation activities aligned with the development needs and priorities of both sides, thereby contributing to stronger bilateral economic, trade and investment relations.

Strengthening coordination and expanding cooperation in promising sectors

The two sides exchanged views on the current state of Viet Nam - France cooperation and several directions for future coordination, particularly in trade, industry, energy and minerals. They also discussed ways to further promote the role of government agencies, development partners and relevant organizations in advancing bilateral cooperation.

Deputy Minister Luong Hoang Thai expressed appreciation for the attention and support extended by the French Government, the French Embassy in Viet Nam and AFD to cooperation activities with Viet Nam. He also voiced his hope that French partners would continue their engagement, intensify exchanges and explore new opportunities for cooperation consistent with the development priorities of both countries.

For the French side, Minister Delegate Eleonore Caroit and Ambassador Didier Le Bret spoke highly of the cooperative relationship between the two countries and reaffirmed their willingness to continue working with the MoIT and relevant Vietnamese authorities to advance the areas of cooperation discussed, contributing to the continued development of the Viet Nam - France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The meeting took place in an open, friendly and constructive atmosphere. Both sides agreed to maintain regular exchanges and strengthen coordination among relevant authorities and partners, thereby contributing to the stable, substantive and effective development of Viet Nam - France cooperation in the coming period.