You began your tenure during European Heritage Days in mid-September, when the French Residence was opened to the public. What significance did this event hold?
The timing was truly symbolic. European Heritage Days allow us to open historic buildings so people can appreciate both their architecture and living stories. The French Residence, with its 150-year history, is one of those rare places where our shared heritage truly comes alive.
We maintain it not as a museum but as a living space for dialogue, ranging from cultural events and technology summits to academic discussions. Heritage is not about dwelling on the past, but about building the future together. Personally, opening the Residence allowed my family and I to connect immediately with the community. Diplomatically, it reminded us that heritage serves as a bridge to the future, inspiring cooperation in culture, innovation, and education.
What are your main priorities as you begin your tenure?
Our work is framed by the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signed between France and Vietnam in October 2024 in Paris. My ambition is to give this partnership full substance through daily, tangible actions across all fields of cooperation.
I would highlight three priorities: First, people-to-people exchanges: supporting French citizens in Vietnam and assisting Vietnamese who wish to study, work, or travel to France. Second, economic cooperation: encouraging French companies to invest and thrive in Vietnam, while helping Vietnamese businesses strengthen links with France. Third, cultural, scientific, and educational exchange: from joint research and higher education partnerships to cultural programming and language promotion. European Heritage Days, for instance, showed how history can engage young generations in new ways.
You underlined economic ties as a priority. Where do you see the strongest opportunities?
Economic ties are indeed a priority, and two areas stand out: sustainable transportation and technology-driven innovation. France has longstanding expertise in sustainable transport solutions, while Vietnam is advancing ambitious projects such as new metro lines and the North-South high-speed railway line. These are domains where French know-how and technology can make meaningful contributions.
In parallel, innovation and technology represent another major field of cooperation. Vietnam’s startup ecosystem is vibrant and fast-growing, and France can support this momentum through La French Tech, a government-backed initiative promoting startups and innovation worldwide. Its mission is to help startups and innovative companies expand and connect globally. With its presence in Vietnam, La French Tech provides a unique platform to foster co-creation, encourage joint ventures, and build bridges between French and Vietnamese innovators.
Cultural and educational ties have always been a strength of the bilateral relationship. What directions might they take under your tenure?
On the cultural side, we have a rich and diverse calendar of film screenings, concerts, and exhibitions that bring our two societies closer together. What we seek is not a one-way projection of culture, but a genuine dialogue and partnership. A good example is the support provided by French institutions for Vietnamese audiovisual initiatives, which enables Vietnamese stakeholders and artists to participate in the Cannes and Annecy Festivals.
Education is equally central. France already welcomes a large number of Vietnamese students, and we are now expanding opportunities through joint degree programs, research collaborations, scholarships, and faculty exchanges.
This year is also the France-Vietnam Year of Innovation, which highlights projects at the intersection of economy, culture, and science. For us, innovation does not mean forgetting our heritage, but rather drawing on the past to inspire the future. In this effort, we are fortunate to rely on the strong presence of French institutions in Vietnam, such as the French Institute and Campus France. We also benefit from the close cooperation of key Vietnamese partners, such as IDECAF, whose contribution is essential to the vitality of our exchanges.
How can French initiatives such as La French Tech deepen cooperation with local startups?
La French Tech is a national initiative launched by the French Government to support the growth of innovative technology startups in France and abroad. Its ambition is to make France one of the most attractive destinations for startups, talent, and investors. France already leads the EU in hosting foreign investment, underscoring the strength of its ecosystem.
In Vietnam, La French Tech has been active since 2013. Its mission is threefold: to promote the image of French innovation and France’s attractiveness in Vietnam; to support French startups and companies seeking to expand in this dynamic market by providing a framework for exchange and growth; and to connect the French Tech community with Vietnamese partners.
Through these actions, La French Tech Vietnam serves as a bridge between the two ecosystems. It fosters co-creation, knowledge sharing, and partnerships in areas such as AI, fintech, green technologies, healthtech, and digital education. In doing so, it contributes not only to the international expansion of French startups but also to the development of Vietnam’s fast-growing innovation landscape.
Sustainable development is a shared priority for both countries. How do you see startups contributing?
Sustainable development is indeed a priority for both France and Vietnam, and it calls for the mobilization of all actors: government institutions, large corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and, importantly, startups. Startups bring a distinctive contribution by offering innovative solutions and technical tools that enable swift and effective responses to climate challenges.
French startups are already engaged in this field and can serve as valuable partners for Vietnam. For instance, Hyviti specializes in hydroelectric power - financing, building, and operating infrastructure such as dams - while Syneria provides consulting and engineering expertise for renewable energy projects. These are concrete examples of how startup-driven innovation can accelerate the energy transition and foster more sustainable growth.
Finally, what is your long-term outlook for technology cooperation between Vietnam and France?
As French Minister Delegate for AI and Digital Technologies Clara Chappaz highlighted during her visit to Ho Chi Minh City in May 2025, in a world dominated by American and Chinese tech giants, France seeks to project a distinctive and ethical voice. To achieve this, partnerships with trusted allies are essential, and Vietnam is a natural partner. Both countries share strong ambitions for ethical technology, vibrant startup ecosystems, and deep respect for sovereignty. These shared values create the foundation for a sustainable and future-oriented partnership.
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European Heritage Days were first launched in 1984 by the French Ministry of Culture as an initiative to open to the public buildings that are usually closed for administrative, diplomatic, or economic purposes. By 2000, such events officially took on the name “European Heritage Days”, and today have expanded to more than 50 countries and territories, attracting millions of visitors each year.
The French Residence in Ho Chi Minh City was built in 1872 by naval engineers in the city’s historic center. Initially serving as the residence of the colonial military governor, it later became the headquarters of the French Commander-in-Chief in Cochinchina and, after 1954, the Ambassador’s Residence of France in the Republic of Vietnam. Since 1975, it has been the official residence of successive French Consuls General.
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