France and Vietnam signed a series of agreements, including an Airbus aircraft deal, during President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Hanoi aimed at strengthening bilateral ties amid broader trade discussions.

France and Vietnam signed several agreements on Monday, including a purchase deal for 20 Airbus A330neo aircraft by VietJet, as French President Emmanuel Macron visited Hanoi. This marks the first formal visit by a French president to Vietnam in nearly ten years and forms part of a broader Southeast Asia tour.

Macron’s visit focuses on enhancing cooperation in key areas such as defence, energy, innovation, and culture. According to documents reviewed by Reuters, additional agreements were signed in sectors including nuclear energy, railways, satellite technology, and pharmaceuticals.

The visit comes as both countries navigate evolving global trade dynamics. Vietnam, which relies heavily on exports, has been in discussions with the United States to address its trade surplus and avoid potential tariffs. At the same time, European Union officials have encouraged Vietnam to maintain balanced trade relations that also consider EU interests.

Airbus, a major European aircraft manufacturer, currently accounts for 86% of Vietnam’s jet fleet, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. The latest agreement follows a similar deal made last year involving 20 Airbus aircraft.

While Vietnam has indicated interest in purchasing additional aircraft from U.S. manufacturer Boeing, including a potential order of 250 planes, both Vietnamese and European officials have expressed the importance of maintaining strong trade partnerships with multiple global markets.

Macron’s trip to Vietnam is the first stop on a regional visit that also includes Indonesia and Singapore. He is scheduled to visit a university in Hanoi on Tuesday before departing for Jakarta.

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