French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Vietnam and paid tribute at the war memorial before meeting with Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc. His gesture not only honors the past but also signals a desire to strengthen ties with Vietnam. Following their meeting, Macron emphasized that countries in the Indo-Pacific region, including Vietnam, should have choices beyond China and the United States.

Macron remarked on the necessity of maintaining a rules-based international order amidst the current imbalance of power. He also addressed issues concerning the South China Sea, stressing the importance of adhering to international maritime law.

The Financial Times highlighted Vietnam's so-called "bamboo diplomacy," which allows the country to flexibly pursue its national interests in the context of U.S.-China tensions. Vietnam managed to align with the United States on South China Sea issues while maintaining a friendly relationship with Russia. Thus, Macron’s visit as a leader of the EU was warmly welcomed by Vietnam, which aims to upgrade its diplomatic ties with France to a comprehensive strategic partnership in October 2024.

After Vietnam, Macron will visit Indonesia and Singapore, reinforcing France's interests in the region.