​On the afternoon of April 20, 2022, the Provincial Union of Friendship Organizations, in collaboration with the Vietnam - France Friendship Association of Dong Nai Province, celebrated the International Francophonie Day and the 49^th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam - France (April 12, 1973 - April 12, 2022). There was the attendance of Ms. Emmanuelle PAVILLON-GROSSER, Consul General of France in Ho Chi Minh City, Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Han - Director of Campus France in Ho Chi Minh city, Mr. Nguyen Son Hung - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tri - Chairman of the Provincial Union of Friendship Organizations, together with representatives of provincial departments, agencies and over 200 teachers, pupils and students.

Delegates attended the Celebration.

Speaking at the Celebration, Mr. Nguyen Son Hung - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee said that 49 years ago - on April 12, 1973, Vietnam and France officially established diplomatic relations. Over the past four decades, France has always held a prior position in Vietnam's foreign policy and is Vietnam's top partner in Europe and the world.

The strategic partnership between Vietnam and France is not only in the political field, but also in the fields of culture, education, economy and people – to - people diplomacy. France is one of the leading foreign investors, as of the end of March 2022, ranked 16th out of 140 countries investing in Vietnam, including 638 valid projects with a total registered capital of more than 3.6 billion USD. In addition, France is also cooperating and implementing many projects in the fields of environment, urban planning, vocational training, Francophone, tourism, culture, etc. Currently, France has 20 projects with  total registered capital of about 179 million USD. Over the years, Dong Nai province has established cooperative relations with two localities of France, namely the Rhône-Alpes region and the Bretagne region.

In the field of education, Dong Nai has been selected to bring the French language program into schools since the 2002 - 2003 school year. Currently, there are nearly 300 students studying French at Nguyen Du Primary School, Thong Nhat Secondary School. and Tran Bien High School. After 20 years of implementation, the teaching and learning of French has always been maintained, developed and achieved certain results. Many teachers have become the nucleus in teaching French. Lots of students have succeeded and used French as a tool for their employment development.

Chairman of the Provincial Union of Friendship Organizations Nguyen Thanh Tri presenting a gift to the Consul General of France in Ho Chi Minh City

Since its establishment in 2018, the Vietnam – France Friendship Association have operated actively, contributing to fostering the friendship and cooperation between the people of Dong Nai province and those of France.

Chairman of the Vietnam - France Friendship Association in the province said that the organization of the celebration of the 49th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and France was considered an important event, affirming the precise policies of our Party and State that have brought the relationship between the two countries into depth and effectiveness. He wished that the French Consulate General and Embassy in Vietnam would continue to pay attention, support to organize more people-to-people exchange activities between Dong Nai and France, and at the same time connect French enterprises participate in cultural exchange activities, contributing to better understanding and cooperation in other fields.

In response, Ms. Emmanuelle PAVILLON-GROSSER - Consul General of France in Ho Chi Minh City sincerely thanked the Party Committee, authorities and people of Dong Nai province in building the people – to - people exchange relationship between two countries, including a series of activities to celebrate the 49th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and France. France has always been one of the top partners of Vietnam in Europe as well as in the world. The establishment of the Strategic Partnership between the two countries in 2013 not only reflects a close relationship built and promoted over the previous decades, but also shows the desire and determination of the two countries to develop the bilateral relationship to more deeply, sustainable and long-term vision.

Previously, within the framework of the Celebration of the International Francophonie Day and the 49th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and France, the Vietnam - France Friendship Association of the province collaborated with Campus France in Vietnam to organize an exchange program on study opportunities in the French Republic presented by Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Han - Director of Campus France. The activity attracted more than 200 teachers, pupils, students and their relatives. It helps the students and their parents have an overview of the choice of the appropriate major and schools/universities as well as the process and steps to complete the study abroad application in France.

On this occasion, the Consulate General of France in Ho Chi Minh City also presented 25 gifts to students studying the French program and getting high academic achievements at 03 Nguyen Du Primary School, Tran Bien Secondary School and Tran Bien High School.