French President Emmanuel Macron began a high-stakes diplomatic tour of Asia on Sunday, with stops in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore aimed at bolstering France’s presence in the region through new partnerships in defence, energy, and technological innovation.
Macron’s arrival in Hanoi marks the first official visit by a French president to Vietnam in nearly a decade, underscoring the growing importance of Southeast Asia in France’s strategic and economic outlook. The trip is expected to last about a week and culminate with a keynote speech at the prestigious Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia’s leading defence summit.
“I am coming here to strengthen our ties in key areas – defence, innovation, the energy transition, and cultural exchanges,” Macron said in a message posted to social media shortly after landing in Vietnam.
The visit reflects broader efforts by France and the European Union to deepen economic and diplomatic ties across Asia amid rising global tensions and shifting alliances. With the U.S. continuing to pursue protectionist trade measures and China expanding its influence through assertive regional policies, Macron aims to position France as a stable and collaborative partner.
“France is a reliable partner, one which believes in dialogue and cooperation,” Macron added. “We support a rules-based international order and fair, open trade.”
During his tour, Macron is expected to meet with regional leaders, business representatives, and civil society figures to discuss concrete agreements in renewable energy projects, defence cooperation, and digital technology exchanges. France has signaled a strong interest in supporting Southeast Asia’s green transition, while also emphasizing the importance of maritime security and strategic autonomy in the Indo-Pacific.
Macron’s participation in the Shangri-La Dialogue later this week will serve as a platform to present France’s Indo-Pacific strategy, emphasizing multilateralism and regional stability in contrast to what he described as “coercive” or “predatory” approaches by other major powers.
His visit comes at a time when France seeks to reaffirm its role not only as a European power but also as a Pacific actor, with overseas territories and military presence in the region. By reinforcing ties in Asia, Macron hopes to expand France’s diplomatic reach while opening new avenues for economic growth and technological collaboration.
