Nurturing the Vietnam-France Friendship

​(News Portal – Dong Nai) - The Vietnam-France Friendship Association in Dong Nai province is one of the ten member organizations of the Provincial Union of Friendship Organizations. In recent times, the Vietnam-France Friendship Association in Dong Nai province has actively participated in the process of building and fostering the friendship between the two countries and two peoples. 

Enthusiastic students took part in activities to celebrate the International Day of the French Language and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and France (1973-2023), organized by the Provincial Union of Friendship Organizations and the Vietnam-France Friendship Association in Dong Nai province. 

22 years of introducing the French language into schools

Since the academic year 2002-2003, the French language program has been introduced into schools. Currently, there are three schools implementing this educational activity: Nguyen Du Elementary School, Thong Nhat Secondary School, and Tran Bien High School (all located in Bien Hoa city), with nearly 300 students enrolled.

Over the past 22 years, the teaching and learning of the French language in Dong Nai province has been consistently maintained, developed, and achieved certain accomplishments. Many teachers have become the core in teaching French. Many generations of students have successfully applied this language in their personal and professional lives. As a result, the majority of the 141 members of the Vietnam-France Friendship Association in Dong Nai province are teachers and students from schools that are currently teaching and learning French in the province. In addition, there are also people who have studied and lived in France and returned to their homeland to pursue careers, as well as those who have an affection for France. 

​Since its establishment in 2018, the Vietnam-France Friendship Association in Dong Nai province has organized numerous cultural exchange activities between Vietnam and France. Specifically, for the past five years, the association has regularly organized painting competitions with the theme "Deepening the Vietnam-France Friendship" and French eloquence competitions.

The Vietnam-France Friendship Association in Dong Nai province also collaborates with the Consulate General of France and the French Institute in Vietnam to organize various friendly exchange activities, commemorating the International Day of the French Language, the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and the French National Day. Especially, the French study abroad counseling program, jointly coordinated by the Provincial Union of Friendship Organizations, the Vietnam-France Friendship Association in Dong Nai province, and schools, serves as a channel for students and parents interested in studying in France to gain insights. 

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Enthusiastic students participated in the Painting Competition with the theme "Deepening the Vietnam-France Friendship," celebrating the International Day of the French Language and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and France (1973-2023), organized by the Provincial Union of Friendship Organizations and the Vietnam-France Friendship Association in Dong Nai province. 

​Enhancing People-to-People Exchanges
In addition, the Provincial Union of Friendship Organizations and the Vietnam-France Friendship Association in Dong Nai province have strengthened cooperation with French non-governmental organizations operating in Dong Nai. Through these non-governmental organizations, the province has received support in implementing various practical social welfare activities. For instance, recently, Les Enfants Du Dragon organization donated funds to build 10 friendship houses for ethnic minority communities.

Mr. Marc De Muynck, representative of Les Enfants Du Dragon organization, stated that Dong Nai has been chosen by Les Enfants Du Dragon to cooperate in implementing social welfare projects to assist the community. This relationship and cooperation will continue to be nurtured and developed by Les Enfants Du Dragon.

Furthermore, Dong Nai has established cooperation with two regions in the French Republic, namely Rhône-Alpes and Brittany, in various fields such as economic development, solidarity with disadvantaged populations, technical assistance and training, promotion of forest heritage, and collaboration in the textile, garment, and footwear industries.

The cooperative relationship between Dong Nai and the aforementioned regions of France has created favorable conditions for the province to develop its market, increase its export turnover with French localities, not only in the industrial and agricultural sectors, but also in investment, trade, tourism, education, and healthcare.

Moreover, there are currently 18 French businesses investing in the province with a total capital of 182.8 million USD. Additionally, four French non-governmental organizations are operating in the province, implementing projects in the fields of healthcare and social welfare, contributing to the socio-economic development of the province. The two countries also have numerous exchange and cooperation programs in university and postgraduate education, with hundreds of agreements signed between universities and research centers. Currently, there are about 7,000 Vietnamese students studying in France, including many students from Dong Nai. ​