Story perspectives

Vietnam and France Sign Space Cooperation Declaration

9/8/2026

Summary

Vietnam, France Cooperate

Vietnam and France sign a declaration of intent to deepen space technology and Earth-observation satellite cooperation.
The declaration was signed during President Macron’s May 2025 visit to Vietnam.
Participants include Vietnam’s Academy of Science and Technology, Airbus Defence and Space, and CNES.
Vietnam proposes VNREDSat-2 to shift from buying satellites to co-developing hardware and training designers.
VNREDSat-1, launched May 7 2013, remains operational in 2026 despite its five-year design life.

Summary

Lam Visits Russia

Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong Lam visits Russia, marking the first leader trip since 1991.
Bilateral trade hit $4.8 billion in 2025 and $2.1 billion in early 2026, a 6.4% increase.
Negotiators discussed a Russian LNG supply deal with Novatek and a joint nuclear science centre in Vietnam.
An agreement to build Vietnam’s first nuclear power plant was slated for signing during the visit.

History

Historical Context

In April 2008 Vietnam launched Vinasat-1, its first satellite, on an Ariane 5 from Kourou, extending radio, TV and telephone coverage nationwide. The craft outlived its five-year design, delivering over one million high-resolution images to the Academy of Science and Technology by 2026. Macron’s 2025 visit and Lam’s 2026 Russia trip renew the Franco-Vietnam tie, adding Airbus hardware, LNG and a nuclear centre.

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Vietnam, France Cooperate

Vietnam and France sign a declaration of intent to deepen space technology and Earth-observation satellite cooperation.
The declaration was signed during President Macron’s May 2025 visit to Vietnam.
Participants include Vietnam’s Academy of Science and Technology, Airbus Defence and Space, and CNES.
Vietnam proposes VNREDSat-2 to shift from buying satellites to co-developing hardware and training designers.
VNREDSat-1, launched May 7 2013, remains operational in 2026 despite its five-year design life.

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