Vietnam’s Ambassador to France: “FPT is a representative example of Vietnam’s global integration”

During a working session with FPT leadership in France, Vietnam’s Ambassador to France, Trịnh Đức Hải, praised the Group’s expansion in one of the world’s most demanding markets. He emphasized that FPT’s journey is not merely about business or profit, but also a testament to national pride and the value of Vietnamese intellect.

Attendees at the meeting included Đặng Trần Phương, Deputy CEO of FPT Software in charge of Europe and the Middle East; Christophe Schwanengel, CEO of FPT France; and Nguyễn Việt Đức, COO of FPT France.

At the session, Ambassador Trịnh Đức Hải shared insights on Vietnam–France bilateral relations, highlighting that France is currently Vietnam’s only comprehensive strategic partner within the European Union. The bilateral relationship is built on a shared historical foundation and spans multiple domains, from politics and security to culture, and especially economics, science, and technology.

Caption: Ambassador Trịnh Đức Hải affirmed that diplomatic credibility is always the foundation for Vietnamese enterprises to conquer demanding European markets. (Photo: MINH DUY)

According to the Ambassador, FPT’s establishment of an office in France in 2008, along with nearly two decades of growth and brand building, demonstrates a sustainable strategy and a deep understanding of the local business culture.

During the meeting, the Vietnamese Embassy in France also proposed digital transformation support from FPT’s France office, aiming to develop a model that could be replicated across other Vietnamese representative agencies worldwide.

Ambassador Trịnh Đức Hải noted that such collaboration is not only technical in nature but also reflects the strong linkage between government agencies and businesses in promoting the national brand.

Recognizing the role of enterprises in strengthening bilateral relations, the Ambassador pointed out that major French corporations such as Air France, Sanofi, and Orange have long been present in Vietnam. “Conversely, FPT is a typical representative of Vietnam in the process of international integration.”

The presence of Vietnamese technology corporations in global markets—and FPT’s growth in a highly demanding market like France—goes beyond business success, serving as a symbol of national pride and Vietnamese intellectual capability.

Caption: According to Đặng Trần Phương, FPT’s inclusion in the Top 100 IT companies in France demonstrates the competitiveness of Vietnamese expertise. (Photo: MINH DUY)

Sharing FPT’s journey, company representatives recalled the early challenges when entering the French market. From a modest technological position, by 2023, FPT Vietnam had officially been listed among the “Top 100 IT companies in France.”

In May 2025, FPT further marked its presence by becoming the only Vietnamese enterprise invited by French President Emmanuel Macron to attend the Choose France Summit—an annual high-level business forum aimed at attracting international investment. FPT’s participation helped dispel outdated perceptions of Southeast Asia as merely an outsourcing destination.

Currently, FPT has established a presence in major French cities such as Paris, Lyon, Toulouse, and Marseille, with over 100 on-site employees and a support team of 600 engineers based in Vietnam. The company has built long-term strategic partnerships with leading French corporations including Airbus, Canal+, Sagemcom, OPMobility, Valeo, Geopost, Quadient, and STMicroelectronics.

Notably, in June 2025, FPT officially signed an agreement to become a “Global Strategic Technology Partner” of Airbus for the deployment of the Skywise ecosystem in the Asia-Pacific region. The signing ceremony took place during the Vietnam–France Business Forum in Paris, witnessed by Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính during his official visit to France.

“2026 will be a pivotal year for further breakthroughs, with a target to maintain an annual growth rate of 50%. The two key pillars will be artificial intelligence and local talent,” said Đặng Trần Phương. He added that increasing the recruitment of French experts, combined with Vietnamese expertise, will create a synergistic strength, enabling deeper penetration into niche and demanding markets across Europe.