Vietnamese President To Lam visited France from September 9 to 11, during which several agreements and statements of intent were signed, but no major commercial contracts were finalized. Vietnam has experienced rapid economic growth, with an annual growth rate of 8% and a strong foreign trade sector. France, however, has focused more on its role in Europe, its independent foreign policy, and its military capabilities than on expanding its economic influence in Vietnam, which remains relatively limited. To Lam, who is also the general secretary of the Vietnamese Communist Party, aims to boost Vietnam's growth to a 10% annual rate, with the goal of becoming a high-income country within two decades. Under his leadership, Vietnam achieved two major economic milestones in 2025: reaching a per capita GDP of $5,000 and surpassing Thailand to become the second-largest economy in Southeast Asia. To Lam has been actively involved in international diplomacy since taking office in February 2026. His visit to France is part of a broader diplomatic tour that includes stops in Moscow, Washington, and Canada during the United Nations General Assembly, as well as previous visits to Southeast Asia, China, and Oceania. Relations between Vietnam and France are positive, with a "comprehensive strategic partnership" established in October 2024 and a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to Vietnam in May 2025. During To Lam's visit to Paris on September 10, several agreements were signed, covering areas such as health, civil security, critical minerals, rail, and UN peacekeeping operations. In the space sector, To Lam participated in the Paris International Space Summit on September 10, an event that was boycotted by SpaceX and Blue Origin. A letter of intent was signed in 2025 by Airbus Aerospace, CNES (the French space agency), and VAST for the development of VNREDSAT-2, with plans to establish an Earth observation center in Vietnam. However, no definitive industrial, financial, or commercial agreements have been reached yet, with expectations that these might be finalized in 2027. Aviation agreements include statements of intent from Airbus and Vietnam Airlines (supply of five new A350-900) and Vietravel Airlines (20 A320 and 30 A321 Neo). The only firm contract is on the maintenance of A320 and A330 aircraft between Thales, Airbus, and Vietjetair. Regarding climate and environmental issues, the French Agency for Development (AFD) signed a financing agreement with the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance for 41.3 million euros to manage water resources in the Dien Bien province. Vietnam's economic success is partly due to its integration into global trade, with exports rising 22% in 2025 and reaching $450 billion, or 90% of the country's GDP. The European Union is Vietnam's third-largest trading partner, behind China and the United States, and clearly ahead of other ASEAN countries. However, the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, which came into effect in August 2020, has not resolved the growing trade imbalance, with the European deficit increasing from $39 billion in 2020 to $74 billion in 2025. The evolution of trade between Vietnam and France and the European Union shows a similar trend, with Vietnam's trade surplus increasing by more than 60% since 2020, while France and the European Union have limited trade coverage rates of 16% and 15%, respectively. Unlike the United States, which imposed a stringent trade agreement on Vietnam, France and the European Union have chosen to support European investments and accompany Vietnam's economic transformation. France is focusing on a diplomatic partnership aimed at preserving multilateralism and developing military cooperation. Emmanuel Macron stated during a speech at the Élysée Palace on September 10 that France wants to remain an independent nation, defend strategic autonomy, and maintain reliable, predictable, stable, and loyal partners.