Hanoi has contributed a big part in nurturing Vietnam-France relations via the preservation of French and Vietnamese architectural heritages and boasts some of the best French language schools in the country.

The overview of the 6th Congress of the Vietnam-France Friendship Organization. Photo: The Hanoi Times

Counselor for Cooperation and Cultural Activities at the French Embassy in Vietnam Sophie Maysonnave gave the remarks at the 6^th Congress of the Vietnam-France Friendship Organization for tenure 2022-2027 today [August 24].

Expressing her delight to attend the Congress, Maysonnave noted the Vietnam-France Friendship Organization has always been a close friend to France and the French Embassy in Vietnam.

According to Maysonnave, France has a close attachment to the Francophone, and this is also the reason for Hanoi to have a significant role in bilateral relations.

Maysonnave referred to the fact that the capital city has some of the best French language schools in the country.

At the Congress, Chairman of the Vietnam-France Friendship Organization Nguyen Lan Trung noted during the 2017-2022 tenure, that it had been focusing on promoting people-to-people diplomacy, peace, and friendship between the two countries.

The Organization has also mobilized social resources to support the overall efforts in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.

“A priority for the Organization is to bolster the friendship and solidarity with the French Embassy in Vietnam; jointly held activities to strengthen the cooperation between the two capitals in particular, and two countries in general,” Trung said.

For the 2022-2027 period, Trung said the Vietnam-France Friendship Organization would focus on promoting the image and achievements of Vietnam during the socio-economic development process to international friends.

In addition, the Organization is expected to serve as the bridge to promote cooperation between businesses from the two countries; hold trade-investment-economic facilitation programs, especially in the fields of startups, handicrafts, and agriculture, to boost Hanoi’s trade performance.

Along with hosting events on special occasions such as Francophone day March 20, French Independence Day July 14, Christmas, and New Year, the Vietnam-France Friendship Organization would set up a plan to organize activities on the occasion of the 50^th anniversary of the Vietnam-France diplomatic relations.

Tran Thi Phuong, Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organization, expressed her delight at the active contribution of the Vietnam-France Friendship Organization to bilateral relations.

Phuong called for the Organization to further raise public awareness of the Vietnam-France friendship, and organize events to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

She expected the Organization to maintain close relations with the French Embassy and partners, especially in the fields of economy, culture, education, and tourism.

“Such cooperation would take the Vietnam-France strategic partnership to a new height,” she noted.