Deputy Mayor of Nantes city Aymeric Seassau and Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang. Photo: VNA

Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang has paid a working visit to Nantes, a western city of the European country, as part of efforts to promote cooperation with French localities, Vietnam News Agency reported.

Receiving the ambassador, Deputy Mayor of Nantes Aymeric Seassau spoke highly of Vietnam’s strong economic development and affirmed his city’s wish to seek opportunities for economic partnerships and form twin relations with Vietnamese localities.

He also highlighted the dynamism of the Vietnamese community in the Loire-Atlantique region and the Vietnam - Loire-Atlantique Friendship Association, who have held a number of cultural, sports, and tourism activities to help locals learn more about Vietnam, which he described as an increasingly modern and future-oriented country with a vigorous economy.

On this occasion, the official gave Thang the original versions of two local newspapers that were issued in November 1968 and featured articles showing support for Vietnam in the fight against the US imperialists.

At a working session with member enterprises of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Loire-St Nazaire region, Ambassador Thang introduced Vietnam’s economic development, demand and wish to develop cooperation with French enterprises, including those in Loire-St Nazaire.

Companies from local major sectors such as shipbuilding, health care infrastructure building, mechanics, agriculture, and food industry expressed their intention to learn more about the business and investment climate, potential, and chances in the Southeast Asian country.

Deputy Mayor of Nantes city Aymeric Seassau (L) presents Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang with the original versions of two local newspapers that were issued in November 1968 and featured articles showing support for Vietnam in the fight against the US imperialists. Photo: VNA

Talking to VNA, Ambassador Thang said the French partners and enterprises voiced their interest in enhancing economic ties with Vietnam to meet the two countries’ demand.

He perceived that achievements in bilateral relations over the last 50 years provide an important basis for fostering economic ties, adding both countries hold rich potential and complementary advantages.

Local leaders also hope to develop the two countries’ ties more strongly, including the Nantes administration and people’s cooperation with the Vietnamese partners and people, the diplomat noted.

At the Vietnam - Loire-Atlantique Friendship Association. Photo: Ha Nguyen

During the trip, the diplomat also met with members of the Vietnam - Loire-Atlantique Friendship Association (AVLA) and visited a photo exhibition on Vietnamese women.

The diplomat welcomed the initiative of the AVLA Association to organise a Vietnam Festival on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and France. He stressed that this is an opportunity to enhance understanding and exchange between the people of the two countries as well as overseas Vietnamese in Nantes.

He mentioned the successful 12th conference on decentralised cooperation between French and Vietnamese localities last April, calling on the administration and enterprises of Nantes and the AVLA to increase initiatives and projects on cooperation with Vietnam.

The Vietnamese Ambassador visits the photo exhibition "Vietnamese Women: Tradition and Modernity". Photo: Ha Nguyen

France ranks 16 out of the 143 countries and territories investing in Vietnam with more than USD 3.8 billion. Their two-way trade reached USD 5.33 billion last year, of which Vietnam’s export to the European nation was valued at USD 3.7 billion.

France is also one of Vietnam’s first and biggest official development assistance (ODA) suppliers in Europe, she said, stressing that Vietnam is an active, responsible member of ASEAN and Asia-Pacific, while France is a key member of the European Union, and both are members of the Francophone community and the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).