Ho Chi Minh City, France look to deepen cultural, educational ties

Nguyen Manh Cuong, vice-chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, met with Elenore Caroit, France’s Minister Delegate to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and her delegation on Saturday during their visit and working trip to the city.

Culture and people-to-people exchanges were among the key areas of mutual interest.

Vice-chairman Cuong highlighted the effectiveness of cultural cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and France over the past more than 40 years.

This long-standing partnership provides a solid foundation for the city to expand exchange programs through cultural institutes, artistic activities, and initiatives that bring people from both sides closer together, he said.

Caroit praised the achievements of Vietnam-France cultural cooperation and highlighted the Institute of Cultural Exchange with France (IDECAF), which is preparing to celebrate its 45th anniversary.

She expressed her hope for continued support from Vietnam in organizing cultural activities, including comic festivals and events related to digital arts.

France also seeks to maintain and develop successful cooperation programs, such as artist residency initiatives and cultural exchange activities.

Also, she noted that Ho Chi Minh City currently has four schools offering French-language educational programs.

These institutions help promote the French language, foster linguistic and cultural exchanges, and create pathways for students to pursue higher education.

Caroit expected the city to continue supporting the schools while expanding cooperation in university-level education and training, particularly in law, engineering, and commerce.

The Vietnamese official affirmed that Ho Chi Minh City would continue working with French localities and agencies to turn cooperation proposals into practical programs, contributing to the effective implementation of the Vietnam-France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Learning from France’s urban planning expertise

Vice-chairman Cuong identified several priority areas for cooperation, including the digital economy, innovation, and transport infrastructure, particularly the urban railway network.

He said that Ho Chi Minh City hopes to draw on France’s experience in urban planning and development.

In the past, city leaders visited Paris to study its approaches to economic development, architecture, culture, and urban planning.

Building on those exchanges, the city has established connections with French partners to explore solutions suited to local conditions.

One area of interest is the development of the Saigon River waterfront, drawing on Paris’s experience in developing urban spaces along the Seine.

The planning experience of Paris and the wider Paris metropolitan region also offers valuable lessons as Ho Chi Minh City works to formulate its master plan.

The city hopes the French government will continue providing support and strengthening links among government agencies, ministries, and local authorities in both countries to advance promising areas of cooperation.

Sharing expertise in international financial center development

Caroit expressed France’s desire to further strengthen the Vietnam-France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, particularly in the fields of economics, culture, education, people-to-people exchanges, and cooperation between younger generations.

Although French businesses are already active in various sectors in Vietnam, she noted that considerable room remains for expanded cooperation, particularly in transport, railways, healthcare, public health, and the digital economy.

Regarding Ho Chi Minh City’s development priorities, Caroit affirmed that France would share its expertise in infrastructure planning, including the development of the Saigon River waterfront.

France also hopes to work alongside Vietnam in addressing climate change and supporting vulnerable groups in society.

Notably, discussing Ho Chi Minh City’s international financial center development, Caroit pointed to Paris’s strengths in the financial sector.

France could share its experience and support the city in developing its own international financial hub.