Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam–Francophonie Economic Forum took place in Hanoi on October 14, drawing a large number of Vietnamese businesses and enterprises from French-speaking countries.
Opening the forum, Vice President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Nguyen Quang Vinh said the event aimed to strengthen cooperation between Vietnamese enterprises and the Francophone business community. He described the forum as a cultural bridge and a journey of shared values and trust among nations that share a common language, spirit of cooperation, and aspiration for sustainable and inclusive development.
According to Vinh, areas such as the digital economy, green transition, renewable energy, high-tech agriculture, sustainable tourism, and innovation are emerging as strategic fields of cooperation, where Vietnam and Francophone countries can complement each other’s strengths. Vietnam, he said, is a dynamic economy and a gateway to Southeast Asia, with a young population, open market, and stable, transparent investment policies.
Meanwhile, Francophone countries in Africa and Europe possess abundant natural resources, international management experience, and extensive market networks. By connecting, the two sides can form a new “circle of cooperation,” where Vietnamese enterprises bring technology, production expertise, and innovation, while Francophone partners contribute resources, knowledge, and global linkages.
In particular, South–South cooperation, in which Vietnam and African nations play pioneering roles, will be a sustainable approach that enhances competitiveness and resilience among developing economies, fostering shared growth and prosperity.
VCCI hopes that businesses from both sides will expand their vision, seize new opportunities from Francophone partners, and view Vietnam as a safe, dynamic, and promising investment destination, Vinh noted.
Edgar Doerig, Chief Representative of the Asia-Pacific Office of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), said that to strengthen economic and trade exchanges among Francophone countries, the organisation has sent several Francophone economic cooperation missions to the Asia–Pacific region, including Vietnam.
The Vietnamese business community and Francophone enterprises look forward to continued support from the governments of Vietnam and other member countries to promote sustainable and prosperous development. The forum, he noted, has opened opportunities for substantive dialogue, turning exchanges into the starting point for concrete cooperation projects.
The Francophonie community comprises 88 member countries and territories with diverse economic structures and great potential for trade and mutual support. This forum offers a practical occasion for Vietnamese and Francophone businesses to meet, better understand one another, and explore future cooperation opportunities./.
