On April 2, 2026, at the Hai Phong City Convention and Performance Center, Mr. Le Tien Chau, Secretary of the City Party Committee and Head of the city's National Assembly Delegation, received Mr. Olivier Brochet, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to Vietnam. This meeting took place as Vietnam-France relations were recently upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2024, marking a historic milestone after more than 50 years of diplomatic ties. According to the sources, this was not only an occasion to review positive cooperation results but also an opportunity to open new development spaces for Hai Phong, a city that recently underwent a large-scale merger with Hai Duong province.
Hai Phong’s New Position in the Integration Era
Since July 1, 2025, Hai Phong has officially operated with a new identity following its merger with Hai Duong, expanding its scale to 3,200 km² with a population of 4.7 million. With this change, Hai Phong asserts its position as a key economic and political center, the largest gateway to the sea in the North, and a growth pole for the Northern Key Economic Region. Economically, Hai Phong ranks third in the country with a scale of $33 billion. The city also set a record as the only locality to maintain double-digit growth for 11 consecutive years, with a 2025 GRDP of 11.81%, ranking second nationwide. This serves as a solid foundation for Hai Phong to attract international investors, particularly French partners. As of early 2026, the city has attracted 1,805 FDI projects with a total registered capital of over $51.21 billion.
Milestones in Economic Cooperation and French Investment in Hai Phong
Although the relationship between the two sides is considered to have much potential, the results achieved in economy and trade are very remarkable. Currently, there are 06 French FDI projects in Hai Phong with a total investment of $55.5 million. These projects focus on high-tech fields, electronic component manufacturing, and processing industries. Notable examples include the Saint Gobain North Vietnam project ($37 million) producing gypsum board in Nam Trieu ward. Other projects mentioned in the sources include Sagemcom Energy & Telecom and Sagemcom Broadband in Nam Dinh Vu Industrial Park, Faurecia Interior Systems Vietnam in the Dinh Vu – Cat Hải Economic Zone, Extruflex North Vietnam producing industrial PVC, and the Lamartiniquaise Vietnam Wine project in Binh Giang commune.
Regarding trade, bilateral turnover in 2025 reached approximately $119.52 million, with Hai Phong maintaining a clear trade surplus as exports reached $100.25 million, five times the value of imports. Major export items include electrical machinery, electronic components, footwear, textiles, and medical equipment. Conversely, Hai Phong imports machinery, equipment, and high-tech raw materials from France for production. The implementation of the EVFTA has created favorable tariff conditions for Hai Phong's goods to reach the EU market. However, local businesses also face new challenges such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and strict European standards for sustainable development.
Local, Cultural, and Educational Cooperation: Bridges of Friendship
The sister-city relationship between Hai Phong and Brest (France) since 2007 is a highlight of local-level cooperation. The two sides frequently exchange delegations and participate in seminars on the sea and the environment, such as the One Ocean Summit (OSS). Specifically, a project supporting the integrated management of estuaries and bays funded by the French Global Environment Facility has brought many practical values to the city's resource conservation.
In education, Tran Phu Gifted High School has maintained a strong partnership with Croix-Rouge School (Brest) since 2011, organizing periodic student exchanges to enhance cultural and historical understanding. Notably, Dinh Tien Hoang Primary School was honored with the Label FrancÉducation title in December 2025, confirming international standards in teaching French and science subjects in French. French architecture is also an indispensable part of Hai Phong's heritage, with the city preserving many valuable works, most notably the City Opera House. Exhibitions like “Hai Phong – France Heritage” held in 2024 celebrated these architectural values as part of the momentum for future prosperity.
Healthcare and Scientific Research: Breakthroughs Through French Knowledge
Hai Phong's health sector has effectively developed cooperation activities with France, especially at Viet Tiep Friendship Hospital. French experts have directly trained staff, transferred technology, and supported consultations for difficult cases for local doctors. A prominent achievement is the DRIVE research system for HIV, hepatitis C, and tuberculosis, in collaboration with research institutes from Nîmes and Montpellier. This project has published more than 35 international works, contributing significantly to efforts to eliminate infections in Vietnam. Additionally, research on post-COVID-19 (POSTCOVIET) and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B (HIPOCAMP) is being actively implemented.
Strategic Vision and Proposals to Boost Cooperation
Looking toward the 2026-2030 period, Hai Phong aims to build the city into a modern, civilized, and livable industrial port city of regional stature. Total investment is expected to reach 2.4 quadrillion VND, with FDI accounting for 50%. To achieve this, the city has made several specific proposals to France.
Regarding economy and technology, the city encourages investment in green industries and high-tech industries such as aviation, clean energy, and automobiles. Simultaneously, it requests French support for information on consumption trends and new EU technical barriers so that Hai Phong businesses can proactively adapt. For education and human resources, the city seeks to strengthen connections between educational institutions and mobilize government scholarships for Vietnamese students. In healthcare, it aims to continue promoting scientific research and specialized training for medical staff. Finally, regarding heritage, the city proposed that the French Republic provide expertise and resources for the renovation and restoration of the City Opera House.
Secretary Le Tien Chau expressed confidence that with advantages in seaport infrastructure, synchronized transport (integrating 5 types), and special mechanisms from Resolution 226 regarding the Free Trade Zone, Hai Phong will be an ideal destination for French investors. The visit of Ambassador Olivier Brochet is expected to open a new chapter, bringing the friendship and cooperation between Hai Phong and French partners to a more substantive, sustainable, and effective level.