The official welcoming ceremony for President Francois Hollande was solemnly held at the Presidential Palace hosted by President Tran Dai Quang.

During the visit, President F.Hollande held talks with President Tran Dai Quang, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and met with Party Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee.

At the talks and meetings, Vietnamese leaders welcomed President F.Hollande’s State visit to Vietnam, and highly appreciated the significance of the visit in the two countries' relations. President F.Hollande expressed deep thanks for the warm welcome and sentiment of the Party, State and people of Vietnam for the delegation during the visit as well as his elation to visit the beautiful country of Vietnam, and expected that the visit will further promote the strategic partnership between the two countries. The leaders of the two countries were of common view that the relationship between Vietnam and France is developing positively in many fields. The two sides reaffirmed their determination to deepen the Vietnam–France Strategic Partnership in all fields.

In an atmosphere of openness, understanding, and mutual trust, President Tran Dai Quang and President F.Hollande discussed, and agreed on several measures to push bilateral relations, as well as the exchange of international issues, and areas of mutual interest during talks at the Presidential Place on 6 September. The two leaders agreed to strengthen exchange and contacts at all levels, especially at high level, while promoting coordinating and directing mechanism in bilateral cooperation.

The two leaders affirmed that the economic cooperation continues to be the priority pillar in bilateral relations and stressed the need to strengthen cooperation in key projects in infrastructure, energy, aviation, health care, pharmaceuticals, environment, agriculture and food processing. President F.Hollande reaffirmed France’s commitment to maintain ODA for Vietnam. The two sides agreed to continue creating a favorable environment for the two countries’ business cooperation, investment and trade, which aims to build partner ship for mutual benefit.

The two sides agreed to bolster affiliation in science-technology, focusing on the field of renewable energy, satellite applications, while enhancing cultural cooperation and tourism, promoting cooperation in education and training, enhancing defense cooperation, especially military equipment procurement, and visit by navy ships. France will assist Vietnam in United Nations peace-keeping operations and cooperate to deal with traditional and non-traditional security issues.

The two countries will strengthen coordination in multilateral fora such as the UN, ASEAN-EU and ASEM, French-speaking forum; and continue supporting each other to promote France’s relations with Asian-Pacific nations and to foster Vietnam’s cooperation with the European Union. Vietnam highly values France’s role in coping with climate change as seen in the success of the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 21), held in Paris. The two countries will strengthen cooperation in responding to global challenges, especially to cope with climate change.

The two leaders referred to the importance of maintaining peace and stability, promoting regional and international cooperation. Both sides reaffirmed commitment to maintain freedom of navigation, and aviation, emphasized the resolution of disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means, including diplomatic and legal process and, on the basis of respect for international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982). Following the verdict of the Permanent Court of Arbitration on 12 July 2016, the two sides affirmed the principle of rule of law on the seas and oceans, and laid stress on the importance of fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and supported efforts to achieve the Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC).

* On 6 September at the Headquarters of the Party Central Committee, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong received President F.Hollande. At the meeting, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong pointed out that the two countries Vietnam and France, having deeply understood each other, are deepening the Strategic Partnership established by the two countries. General Secretary affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to the role, position and high priority to developing the friendly relation and cooperation with France. The General Secretary urged the two sides to further strengthen cooperation on several fields and channels, increase contacts and exchange of experiences, support each other in international fora, as well as maintain the existing cooperation mechanisms. On this occasion, General Secretary requested the French Government to facilitate the Viet Namese community in France to further facilitate their positive contribution to society, contributing to boosting relations between the two countries in many aspects.

President F.Hollande highly valued the significant achievements Vietnam has made in recent years, while affirming that Vietnam and France relation is built on long-termed history and great potential for development. President F.Hollande agreed that both sides continue to strengthen political ties through exchange of delegations, especially the high-level delegations, and strengthen cooperation in various fields. The French President also expressed support for boosting the prospects of cooperation mechanisms such as decentralized cooperation among localities, cooperation in Francophone organizations and other forms of cooperation that can be applied in Africa and other area in the world.

* The same day, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with French President F.Hollande. While expressing high appreciation for the close and effective cooperation between the two countries in international arena, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc shared France’s concern about terrorism and expressed sympathy to France over the great losses caused by terrorists to the French people. The Vietnamese Government leader asked that France support ASEAN’s stance in ensuring peace, stability, security, and maritime and aviation safety and freedom in the East Sea.

For his part, President F.Hollande said during this visit, he is being accompanied by many business leaders, who want to seek partnership and investment opportunities in Vietnam, which demonstrates the interest of French businesses in developing ties with Vietnam.

Stressing that France always prioritises its economic partnership with Vietnam, he requested that the country create favorable conditions for French long-term, effective and successful investment in Vietnam. At the same time, France is also keen on enhancing bilateral cooperation in science-technology, technology transfer, education and training so that to increase the number of students studying in France together with boosting people-to-people exchange, thus increasing mutual understanding between the two nations.

*On the same day, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan met with President F.Holland. Emphasizing that cooperation between localities of the two countries is a special trait in the Vietnam–France relation, the National Assembly Chairwoman said that the relation has been promoted with 38 localities in France has partnerships with 18 cities and province of Vietnam implementing 235 medium-sized cooperation projects.

The National Assembly Chairwoman expressed her elation about the relationship between the two countries’ legislative bodies over the past 40 years. She conveyed thanks to the French parliament deputies for having actively participated and closely cooperated with Vietnam at the 132nd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-132) and the 7th Asia-Pacific Francophone Parliamentary Alliance (APF) in 2015.

President F.Hollande thanked National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan for spending her time with the delegation. French President said, during the visit to Vietnam this time, he is being accompanied by representatives of French National Assembly, the France-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group and representatives of research institutes and universities. This shows France’s respect and desire in promoting cooperation between the two countries' legislative bodies.

In addition to the talks, and meetings with senior leaders of Vietnam, President F.Hollande visited and talked with students of Ha Noi National University, toured the Hoi An Ancient Town, Ho Chi Minh City Heart Institute, and met with French business community in Vietnam. The visit of President F. Hollande was successfully concluded wraps, contributing to further promoting the strategic partnership between the two countries.