On May 27, 2025, as part of his State visit to Vietnam, French President Emmanuel Macron and his spouse visited the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH) to meet and engage in a dialogue with Vietnamese students and young intellectuals. The event was also attended by Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, along with senior representatives from ministries and agencies of both countries.
The visit marked a significant milestone, symbolizing the deep interest and expectations of the leaders of both nations in the young generation—the driving force behind innovation, scientific advancement, and the continued strengthening of the Vietnam–France strategic partnership.
In his remarks, President Emmanuel Macron expressed his delight at meeting talented Vietnamese students and young researchers. He emphasized the importance of this visit at a time when the partnership between Vietnam and France continues to grow, particularly in education. He reaffirmed that education remains one of the key pillars of bilateral relations, with USTH serving as a flagship symbol of this collaboration. Established in 2009 under an Intergovernmental Agreement between Vietnam and France, USTH has been supported by a consortium of more than 30 French universities and research institutes.
President Emmanuel Macron stressed that to date, over 15,000 Vietnamese engineers, 3,000 doctors, and thousands of legal experts have received training in France. He announced that the two countries will soon sign a new education agreement, paving the way for deeper bilateral collaboration in the upcoming years.
He highlighted that Vietnam’s future is among the largest economies among middle-income countries and will depend on how its young generation, scientists, and researchers respond to global challenges. France, he said, is eager to expand collaboration with Vietnam in key areas such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, digital technology, robotics, and automation. He also reaffirmed France’s commitment to supporting Vietnam in training and nurturing talent, to double the number of student exchanges between the two countries by 2030.
Addressing four major global challenges—geopolitical transformation, climate change, scientific and technological progress, and demographic shifts—President Emmanuel Macron highlighted the crucial role of youth and scientists in tackling pressing issues such as CO₂ reduction, ecosystem protection, and the development of a green, sustainable economy. He stressed that artificial intelligence can propel human progress but must never replace human values, and that technological advancement should always serve humanity’s collective well-being.
During the open discussion, President Emmanuel Macron answered questions from students and young intellectuals on topics ranging from digital transformation and skills development to policies supporting Vietnamese students studying in France. He encouraged students and young researchers to take initiative in learning, to continuously improve their skills, and to uphold integrity and responsibility in research. He also urged them to cultivate critical thinking and independent judgment, while staying rooted in humanistic and ethical values.
The visit was a meaningful occasion that further strengthened the cooperative ties between Vietnam and France, while providing a unique opportunity for exchange, connection, and inspiration for Vietnamese youth on their journey toward integration and global engagement.
