France will help Vietnam address the problem of land contaminated by dioxin as a result of the Vietnam War, said a French MP on September 8.

The remarks were given by Christian Jacob, Chairman of the Commission on Sustainable Development and Territory Planning of the French Parliament, during a meeting the same day with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai.

“Relevant agencies of France are likely to work with Vietnam in remedial treatment of dioxin-contaminated land and turn it into a cultivable area to grow trees for oil,” he said.

The French MP also noted that more international support is needed for Vietnam to deal with the global problem of climate change, the consequences of which have already been felt in the country.

Jacob is leading a delegation of the French Parliament on a working visit to Vietnam to prepare for the 8th meeting of the Vietnam-France Economic and Financial Forum which is slated to be held in Ha Long city, Quang Ninh province this November.

Deputy PM Hoang Trung Hai told the French delegate that Vietnam is targeting energy conservation and diversification of energy sources, especially renewable ones.

Vietnam has conducted pilot programmes to develop energy sources from solar, wind and biomass power, Hai said.

He also noted that the domestic transportation sector has gradually improved and narrowed the gap between current standards of environmental protection and energy efficiency applied to registered vehicles and international standards.

The economic and financial forum between Vietnam and France this year will focus on energy, the reduction of greenhouse gases, the efficient and sustainable use of energy sources and joint efforts to deal with climate change./.