Dong Nai’s contribution in the Vietnam-France relation

​(CTT-Đong Nai) – In 1973, France and Vietnam established diplomatic relations, setting the foundation for the bilateral cooperation ever since. Together with the country, Dong Nai has actively contributed in the building of a 50 years friendship between Vietnam and France.  

Students eagerly participating in a painting competition which took place in Dong Nai. The theme was “Vietnam-France Friendship”, in celebration of International 

​Established from collaboration programs

There are 18 French enterprises currently investing in Dong Nai with total capital up to 182,8 million USD. In addition, there are also 4 French non-government organizations operating in the province with multiple projects in medical and social fields, contributing in the province's economic and social growth.

At the same time, Dong Nai has built and maintained cooperative relationships with 2 France's regions which are Rhône-Alpes and Bretagne. The fields which are a part of the working cooperation are: economic growth, uniting the disadvantaged population, technical training aid, expanding forest heritages, cooperation in the textile, footwear and garments industries, cooperating and expanding in the production and process of agricultural and livestock products… The cooperative relationship between parties has created an opportunity for Dong Nai to expand the markets, increase export turnovers between Dong Nai and France's regions. This cooperation is not only in industry or agriculture field, but also in investment, commercial, tourism, education and medical. 
These bonds between Dong Nai and France has allowed Vietnam to take 2^nd place in the list of Asian countries that are France's ODA recipients, with over 18,4 billion US dollars.  At the same time, France is also the leading bilateral European ODA donor to Vietnam. In addition, the two countries have rich and diverse undergraduate and graduate training exchange and cooperation programs with hundreds of agreements signed between universities and research centers of the two sides. Currently, there are about 7,000 Vietnamese students studying in France.

Ms. Anne-Laure Vincent, Attaché for French Cooperation, of the French Embassy located at the French Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, said that, in the 50 years of establishing diplomatic relations, the two countries have expressed a common desire: to maintain an in-depth and practical relationship associated with the spirit of cooperation for the benefit of the two people, for peace, cooperation and development in the region and in the world. Ms. Anne-Laure Vincent also highly appreciated Dong Nai's cultural exchange activities, economic development, and support to connect Vietnamese with their French friends. This contributes to spreading the love and cohesion of the two countries.

Teaching French in schools
In addition to economic cooperation, one of the activities that strengthens the friendship between the two countries in Dong Nai is the many people-to-people diplomatic exchange programs, and teaching French in schools.

In 2018, for example, the province had found the Vietnam-France Friendship Association. The Association has been actively promoted its role as the connection in the people-to-people diplomacy. Annually, the Association regularly contacts the French Consulate General and the French Institute in Vietnam to organize friendly activities, celebrate the International Francophonie Day, the anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between two countries, Bastille Day…

In recent years, in celebration of Bastille Day, the French Speaking contest, oversea study in France consultant has been coordinated by the Provincial Union of Friendship Organizations, the Provincial Vietnam-France Friendship Association and the schools. The practice has provided a playground and opportunity for French learning students, and people who love France, those who has been waiting and eagerly participating. In addition, the French Institute in Vietnam also donated hundreds of books and reference materials (in French) to the libraries of French language schools in the province. At the same time, the Association has connected to register for French teachers who are teaching French to receive French training in the summer, online classes and other activities organized by the French Institute. 

Especially, since the 2002-2003 school year, the French program has been taught in schools. Currently, there are 3 schools carrying out this educational activity, which are Nguyen Du Primary School, Thong Nhat Secondary School and Tran Bien High School with nearly 300 students studying. After 21 years of implementation, French teaching and learning has always been maintained, developed and achieved certain results. ​