Post by : Meena Ariff

Photo: Reuters

Việt Nam’s top leaders have officially sent warm and respectful congratulations to the leaders of France as the European country celebrates its 236th National Day. This gesture is a sign of the long-standing friendship and diplomatic relations between the two nations, which have been growing stronger over the years.

France’s National Day, also known as Bastille Day, is celebrated every year on July 14. It marks the historic day in 1789 when the people of Paris stormed the Bastille prison. This event was a key moment in the French Revolution and is now remembered as a symbol of liberty, democracy, and the fight against oppression.

This year, on the anniversary of that important day, Vietnamese leaders expressed their congratulations and support for the government and people of France. The official messages were sent on Monday, ahead of the July 14 celebrations.

President Lương Cường Sends Message to French President Macron

Vietnamese State President Lương Cường sent a formal message of congratulations to French President Emmanuel Macron. In his message, President Cường praised the deepening friendship and cooperation between Việt Nam and France.

He highlighted the importance of the two countries' relationship, noting that it is built on mutual respect, shared values, and a strong desire to work together for peace, development, and progress. President Cường also expressed his hope that the friendship between Việt Nam and France would continue to grow even stronger in the years to come.

Prime Minister Chính Extends Greetings to French Prime Minister

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính also sent a congratulatory message to his French counterpart, Prime Minister François Bayrou. In his message, PM Chính expressed his happiness at the positive development of the Việt Nam–France partnership.

He noted that cooperation between the two governments has improved in many areas, including economics, trade, education, health care, culture, and climate change. PM Chính said he looks forward to working closely with the French Prime Minister to create new opportunities and continue building trust between the two countries.

National Assembly Chairman Honors French Parliament Leaders

On the same day, Chairman of the National Assembly of Việt Nam, Trần Thanh Mẫn, extended his congratulations to Gerard Larcher, President of the French Senate, and Yaël Braun-Pivet, President of the French National Assembly.

Chairman Mẫn’s message praised the strong cooperation between the two countries’ parliaments. He noted that in recent years, there has been more sharing of experiences, mutual visits, and open discussions on important issues between Vietnamese and French lawmakers.

He expressed his belief that the close ties between the two national assemblies would continue to develop, helping both sides strengthen democracy, promote lawmaking, and serve their people better.

Foreign Minister Sends Regards to French Foreign Affairs Minister

In addition to the messages from the top government and parliament leaders, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn sent a congratulatory message to Jean-Noël Barrot, France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

Minister Sơn expressed his appreciation for the efforts both sides have made to enhance diplomatic cooperation. He highlighted ongoing discussions, development projects, and the shared commitment to multilateralism and peaceful dialogue.

He also stated that both Việt Nam and France play important roles in international forums and hoped that they would continue to support each other on regional and global matters.

Strong Historical Friendship Between Việt Nam and France

The diplomatic relationship between Việt Nam and France has a long and complex history. In modern times, the two countries have worked together to turn their shared history into a partnership based on understanding and progress.

Since establishing diplomatic ties in 1973, Việt Nam and France have built cooperation in many fields. In 2013, they signed a strategic partnership agreement, which marked a new stage in their relationship. Over the years, the two nations have supported each other through trade, cultural exchanges, education programs, and health care projects.

France is also one of Việt Nam’s major partners in Europe. It is one of the top sources of foreign direct investment in the country. Many French businesses have set up operations in Việt Nam, creating jobs and helping with technology transfer and innovation.

At the same time, Việt Nam is becoming more important to France in Asia. The two countries have continued to build mutual understanding through high-level visits and people-to-people connections, such as academic exchange programs, tourism, and development aid.

Celebrating National Day: A Symbol of Shared Values

The celebration of France’s National Day reminds the world of the values of freedom, equality, and fraternity – values that both France and Việt Nam cherish.

By sending official congratulations, Việt Nam’s leaders are showing that they stand in solidarity with the people of France. It is also a way of honoring the friendship between the two countries and their ongoing efforts to support each other.

The messages sent by Vietnamese leaders are not only a sign of goodwill but also a reaffirmation of the country’s dedication to international friendship and cooperation.

Looking Ahead: A Future of Closer Ties

As the world faces many challenges such as climate change, global health issues, and economic uncertainties, cooperation between countries like Việt Nam and France becomes even more important.

The friendship between the two nations is expected to grow further, with future projects in trade, culture, education, science, and environmental protection.

Both governments are working to encourage more investment, tourism, and exchange of knowledge. There are plans to deepen cooperation in clean energy, digital transformation, and sustainable development, areas that will be key to long-term growth.

France’s 236th National Day is not only a celebration for the French people but also a moment of reflection for its friends around the world. For Việt Nam, this anniversary is a chance to show respect and appreciation for a partner that shares a rich and meaningful relationship.

The congratulatory messages from President Lương Cường, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn, and Foreign Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn reflect the Vietnamese government’s sincere desire to keep strengthening the friendship and cooperation with France.

As both nations move forward, they do so with shared goals and a strong foundation of mutual respect, making this a special partnership that is likely to bring benefits to both peoples for many years to come.