Can Tho (VNA) – Vice Chairman of the Can Tho municipal People's Committee Nguyen Ngoc He expressed the Mekong Delta city's wish to strengthen collaboration with French localities in areas such as education, ODA projects, and business matching at a meeting with visiting French Ambassador Olivier Brochet on January 23.
He informed his guest on two bright spots of Can Tho’s relationship with France, namely the development of French-language education and economic investment projects. A prominent example of this cooperation is the Can Tho River embankment, which was supported by the French Development Agency (AFD) and has become a symbol of the bilateral partnership.
In the future, the Vice Chairman proposed the ambassador assist in establishing French-language schools offering education from primary to university levels. Can Tho also seeks support in fostering ties with French localities to enhance exchanges and organise activities related to trade and investment.
The municipal leader went on adding that the city aims to connect local enterprises with their French counterparts to promote stronger economic development.
For his part, Brochet acknowledged Can Tho’s dedication to promoting the French language and maintaining strong relations with French localities across various fields. The city is home to two of the 21 Vietnamese schools officially recognised for excellence in French-language education.
The ambassador proposed the local authorities facilitate continued growth of the Can Tho University’s French-language faculty, allowing more young people to learn the language and engage with the Francophone community.
He also affirmed his commitment to strengthening relations between city and localities in France, underscoring that the potential for collaboration between Can Tho and French localities remains vast, especially in fields like research and healthcare.
Additionally, the diplomat invited the Chairman of the municipal People's Committee, along with leaders from Ho Chi Minh City and central Da Nang city, to attend the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice this June./.
