French President Francois Hollande is to pay a State visit to Vietnam September 5-7 at the invitation of President Tran Dai Quang, according to the Foreign Ministry’s statement released yesterday.

During President Hollande’s visit, the two countries will review their co-operation and seek further political ties and delegation exchanges.

They will also look to improve the efficiency of bilateral co-operation and accelerate joint economic projects, especially in infrastructure, climate change adaptation, science-technology, health and agriculture.

Both nations will sign a number of new co-operation agreements in politics, economy, science-technology, agriculture and judicial affairs, as well as discuss regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Vietnam  and France have spared no efforts to enhance ties since the establishment of diplomatic relations in April 1973, two years before the end of the American war in Vietnam .

France has been one of Vietnam ’s most important partners in Europe over the past 40 years and was one of the first foreign countries to help Vietnam  heal from the pain of war and normalise relations with the world.

Currently, about 300,000 Vietnamese people are living and studying in France.

VNS