French firms see major investment opportunities in Vietnam: French ambassador

Speaking on the sidelines of France-Vietnam Forward 2026 held in Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday, Ambassador Le Bret said science and technology are becoming pillars of bilateral cooperation.

He added that Vietnam’s push to expand infrastructure, accelerate its green transition, and strengthen technological capacity aligns with France’s expertise.

The ambassador recalled that during French President Emmanuel Macron’s 2025 visit to Vietnam, both countries agreed to promote a year of cooperation in science and technology.

He said Vietnamese Party General Secretary and State President To Lam’s visit to France last month, which included stops at the Paris-Saclay innovation hub and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission, underscored Vietnam’s interest in French research and innovation.

The visits also pave the way for both countries to advance more practical joint projects that link scientific research with economic and industrial development needs, he said.

Energy is among Vietnam’s most pressing areas for cooperation, the French diplomat said.

Vietnam’s installed power capacity is about 90 GW, with plans to expand by 10 percent, or adding roughly 9 GW, to meet economic growth demands.

This requires developing multiple sources, including wind, solar, hydropower, and nuclear.

France, with its experience in hydropower and nuclear technology, hopes to partner with Vietnam in these projects.

“Energy is truly the key factor to ensure industrial projects can develop effectively,” the ambassador emphasized.

Transport infrastructure is another priority.

Vietnam is planning high-speed rail and expanding metro networks in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

France, a pioneer in high-speed rail, has already contributed to Hanoi’s metro line No. 3, which connects Nhon with Hanoi Station.

French firms are expected to play a larger role in consulting, design, and technology transfer, helping Vietnam build long-term capacity in railway operations and maintenance.

Digital transformation also offers two-way opportunities.

Vietnamese tech companies are investing in France, while French firms are adopting Vietnamese-developed software solutions.

France’s strengths in quantum technology and Vietnam’s growing digital sector create potential for collaboration in emerging fields.

The ambassador concluded that Vietnam’s opportunities lie not only in applying technology to boost productivity but also in participating in global research, product development, and supply chains.

The green transition, he added, makes energy supply and raw materials critical for new industries.