France has been elevated to the status of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) with Vietnam, becoming the eighth nation and the first from the European Union to reach this level in Hanoi’s diplomatic relations.
The agreement establishing the CSP was signed by French President Emmanuel Macron and Vietnamese President To Lam during Lam’s visit to the Élysée Palace in Paris. Lam’s visit, the first by a Vietnamese head of state in over two decades, included meetings with high-ranking French officials.
The joint statement issued by the two nations emphasized the commitment to strengthen bilateral ties and maintain high-level exchanges between the French administration and various Vietnamese authorities. The CSP will not only focus on economic cooperation but also include a strong security component, particularly in the South China Sea region.
France’s promotion to the top tier of Vietnam’s diplomatic hierarchy aligns with Vietnam’s strategy of expanding and deepening relationships with key regional and global powers. The CSP with Vietnam will also support France’s Indo-Pacific strategy and its interests in the region, including defense and strategic concerns.
For Vietnam, the CSP with France complements its omnidirectional foreign policy of engaging with multiple important powers. The proliferation of CSPs with various nations may raise questions about the significance of the status, but it allows Vietnam to navigate its diplomatic relationships amidst growing U.S.-China competition.
The flexibility of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership gives Vietnam the ability to use upgrades strategically in its foreign policy balancing act. With France now joining superpowers like the U.S. at the top of Vietnam’s diplomatic hierarchy, it demonstrates Vietnam’s nuanced approach to international relations.