As Geopolitical Tensions Rise in Asia, Emmanuel Macron Strengthens Ties with Vietnam, Betting on This Strategic Partner to Secure France’s Long-Term Presence in the Region — A Carefully Considered Economic, Diplomatic, and Security Choice.
President Emmanuel Macron’s recent state visit to Vietnam — the first stop in a tour of Southeast Asia — marks a strategic turning point in French foreign policy. Amid escalating rivalry between the United States and China, France is working to bolster its Indo-Pacific presence by forging strong partnerships with key regional players, including Vietnam.
During his stay in Hanoi, the French president signed 14 agreements spanning a wide range of sectors: defense, aviation, energy, and healthcare. Among the most significant was a deal for the sale of 20 Airbus A330neo aircraft to VietJet, reinforcing Airbus’s foothold in the Vietnamese market. Cooperation was also established in the space sector and on railway infrastructure projects. This visit followed the upgrade of bilateral relations to a “comprehensive strategic partnership,” Vietnam’s highest level of diplomatic cooperation, signaling both nations’ commitment to deepening their ties.
In a climate of intensifying U.S.-China tensions, France is positioning itself as a reliable and independent partner. Macron emphasized the importance of a “rules-based international order,” in contrast to the more coercive approaches of certain global powers. This strategy is designed to offer Southeast Asian nations a “third way” — one that is balanced and respectful of their sovereignty.
With its fast-growing economy, Vietnam is increasingly attracting foreign investment. France, which already has around 250 companies operating in the country, sees Vietnam as a key partner in diversifying supply chains and expanding its presence in Asia. Defense cooperation, particularly in cybersecurity and counterterrorism, further reflects the shared ambition to promote regional stability.
Thanks to its overseas territories in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, France is naturally an Indo-Pacific power. Its regional strategy hinges on strengthening bilateral partnerships, promoting multilateralism, and defending a rules-based international order. Macron’s broader tour — which continues in Indonesia and Singapore — is fully aligned with this approach.
Macron’s visit to Vietnam thus reflects France’s ambition to play an active and balanced role in the Indo-Pacific. By reinforcing ties with key partners such as Vietnam, France asserts itself as a stabilizing power — one capable of offering a credible alternative in a multipolar world.
