(VOVworld) – Among those accompanying President Francois Hollande during his visit to Vietnam this week were several Vietnamese-origin people. They are the people who have gained certain achievements in different fields and obtained a position in the French society. Their presence in France’s diplomatic delegation to Vietnam at the official invitation of the Elysee Palace has helped to improve the Vietnamese-French relations and the image of the Vietnamese community in France and around the world.

France's President Francois Hollande (R) reviews the guard of honor with his Vietnamese counterpart Tran Dai Quang during a welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, Vietnam September 6, 2016. (Photo: Reuters/Kham)

The Vietnamese-origin people who accompanied President Francois Hollande to visit Vietnam this week include the President of the Vietnamese People’s Association in France, the President of the Vietnamese Entrepreneurs’ Association in France, and the Eurobail President. They all have gained certain positions in France

Ngo Kim Hung, President of the Vietnamese People’s Association in France, said: “The association and the Vietnamese community in France as a whole are very glad to be invited to accompany the President’s delegation. This is the first time the association has been invited to join a state level visit to Vietnam. Despite current difficulties and the upcoming presidential election, the President arranged such a visit to Vietnam showing the appreciation of the President and French people in general for Vietnam.”

The Vietnamese community in France has been praised for their integration and industriousness in study, research, and working.

Hoang Chuc, President of the Eurobail Group, whose net asset value is ranked 176^th in France, is famous for acquisition and restructuring of almost bankrupt enterprises.

Chuc told VOV: “I always feel proud to be a citizen of Vietnam which was resilient in its struggles for national independence. During my hardest time, I still strongly believe that I can overcome these difficulties with the undaunted spirit of a Vietnamese person. I want to contribute to improving the cooperation between Vietnam and France both of which I consider my fatherland.”

President of the Vietnamese Entrepreneurs’ Association in France (ABVietFrance) Nguyen Hai Nam said the French President’s visit will open opportunities for the two nations to boost cooperation in the new, potential areas of each side.

“Through this visit as a representative of the Vietnamese Entrepreneurs Association in France, I can access good opportunities offered for the Vietnamese community in France and for investment and trade of both countries in general. There remain untapped fields which are not necessarily scientific spearheads. It can be fashion or services in security equipment management and defense training that France’s small and medium-sized enterprises have advantages,” according to Nam.

Hollande, who arrived in Hanoi early of Sep 9, was accompanied by some former Vietnamese students in France including Maths Professor Ngo Bao Chau. (Photo: dtinews.vn)

With more than 300,000 members, the Vietnamese community in France always turns their hearts to the motherland with a hope that Vietnam will develop more and more.

Lawyer Gerard Ngo is the first foreign lawyer to open a law office in Vietnam in 1993. He is also the founder of the association of the Vietnamese-origin French people’s movement (MCFV).

He noted that he plans to establish a council of senior representatives of Vietnamese community in France to improve the role, status, and voice of the Vietnamese people living there.

Ngo commented: “The Vietnamese community has a strong attachment to each other via associations which have mainly focused on cultural activities but we need a stronger network for effective political activities. Vietnamese people have integrated well into the host country and gained remarkable successes but they are too modest and shy.  So they can’t make a big echo in the French society. In summary, Vietnamese people should pay more attention to political activities in France and develop a network to create a collective strength.”

Executives of drug companies Sanofi and Vinapharm sign a partnership agreement in Ho Chi Minh City on September 7, 2016. (Photo: VNS)

The visit to Vietnam from September 5-7 was President Hollande’s first visit and the first visit by a French president in 12 years that created opportunities to boost the Vietnamese and French relationship and improve the position of the Vietnamese community in France.