Vietnam and France agreed to strengthen cooperation in defence and security, including peacekeeping, disaster relief, science-technology, energy, and transportation.

Titled “Made in Vietnam: le nouvel atelier du monde” (Made in Vietnam: The new workshop of the world”, the report highlighted the country’s rapid industrial transformation.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on March 12 called on the Électricité de France (EDF) to expand investment in green and clean energy in Vietnam, while also supporting Vietnamese partners in developing nuclear power projects.

Vietnam will prioritise choosing partners who can commit to joining Vietnamese investors in technology transfer during the development of nuclear power in the country, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

French luxury cruise ship Le Jacques Cartier, carrying 150 passengers from France, the US, the UK and some European countries, visited Phu Quoc island in Kien Giang province on February 22.

Despite belt tightening as a result of gloomy global economic situation, French could not give up their travel temptation. Vietnam, along with Japan and Thailand, was the top choice for French vacationers during Christmas holiday, according to French daily Le Figaro.

Winners of the 8th “Young Francophone Reporters” competition were announced at an award ceremony in Hanoi on November 17.

Vietnam ranked 16th among 20 countries with the best architecture in the world compiled by Insider Monkey, a finance website that focuses on financial markets, hedge funds, and trading.

A fine art exhibition themed “Colours of Vietnam” opened in Paris on June 28, attracting a large number of overseas Vietnamese living in France, as well as international friends who love Vietnamese paintings and culture.

French musician and singer Dorothée Hannequin, aka The Rodeo, will have a concert tour to five cities of Vietnam beginning with a show in Ho Chi Minh City on June 16.

Vietnamese film lovers will have a chance to enjoy outstanding cinema works from the Francophone community at the 13th Francophone Film Festival which is set to run in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from March 18 to 24.

French manager Philippe Troussier has reached an agreement with the Vietnam Football Federation to become the new head coach of the national football team from March 1.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and Secretary-General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) Louise Mushikiwabo discussed measures to strengthen cooperation between Vietnam and OIF in the future during their meeting in Hanoi on March 24.

A French couple have developed their own form of music therapy, inspired by music combined with the Montessori and Steiner educational methods. They have been particularly successful in sharing this musical inspiration with Agent Orange victims and people with disabilities in Vietnam and many other parts of the world.

The Ministry of Education and Training has issued a circular promulgating the general education programmes of the first foreign languages to be taught in Vietnamese schools as mandatory foreign languages, including Russian, Japanese, French and Chinese.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son held phone talks with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian on July 23, during which the latter pledged to help accelerate COVID-19 vaccine supplies to Vietnam via COVAX.

The victory of the 1950 Autumn Winter Border Campaign plays a historical significane, contributing to the great victory of the national resistance war against French invaders during 1946-1954.

In early 2020, photographer Ly Hoang Long sent 2 collections called "Mud wrestling" and "12-lamp ceremony" to compete in the "Chemins de Photos" festival (Photography path) at L'aude, southern France without much expectation. His both collections were in the top 10 out of 150. "Mud wrestling" was even ranked 4th out of 150.

As the plane touched down on Noi Bai International Airport, Mr. Alain Baron, a French nationality, became the first international traveler to come to Hanoi in 2020.

An arts show took place in Dien Bien Phu city on May 5 to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7 1954) which ended French colonial rule in Vietnam.