French Cultural Center - L'Espace, cordially invites you to attend a discussion about the workYears as Ambassador to Vietnamby Claude Blanchemaison, on the occasion of the publication of the work in Vietnamese, published by the National Political Publishing House with the participation of Mr. Claude Blanchemaison, French Ambassador to Vietnam (1989-1993) and Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Quang Minh, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

The talk took place:

ThWednesday, June 29, 2016 at 6:00 p.m.

Location: French Cultural Center Hall

24 Trang Tien, Hanoi

Listen to Claude Blanchemaison reminisce about his diplomatic career, especially during his four years as French Ambassador to Vietnam (1989-1993). During that time, he traveled from North to South and regularly met with many leaders as well as artists, writers, journalists, businessmen, artisans, etc. On July 14, 1989, he organized the 200th Anniversary of the French Revolution at the French Embassy, ​​with the participation of General Vo Nguyen Giap, then Deputy Prime Minister. The French National Day became an annual occasion for Vietnamese musicians and singers to gather at the Embassy. He received many visits from Foreign Minister Roland Dumas and many members of the French Government, as well as many businessmen and artists. During those four years, bilateral cooperation between the two countries developed strongly. In 1992, the French-Vietnamese Training and Management Center was established. At that time, the residency program at major French hospitals for young Vietnamese doctors began (more than a thousand doctors were trained). Cooperation in the legal field was also developed together with the human resource training program of the Ministry of Finance. Three major films were made during this time, including:Dien Bien Phuby Schoendoerffer,Indochinaof Wargnier, andLoverbelong toJean-Jacques Annaud. Finally in February 1993, President François Mitterrand set foot in Hanoi, Dien Bien Phu and Ho Chi Minh City. The memories were extremely emotional.

Claude Blanchemaison lived in a special period of Vietnamese history (the period of national opening) and of the Franco-Vietnamese relationship (development of cooperation with France) with programs implemented specifically for Vietnam (bilingual classes) and the re-establishment of political relations. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, international and regional events were truly a great shock, having a comprehensive and profound impact on all areas of politics-security, economy, culture and diplomacy of Vietnam. Although the renovation process was officially declared in 1986 at the 6th Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, difficulties still piled up and the new had not yet been affirmed. Domestically, the economy was in inflation, society was unstable. Abroad, Vietnam was isolated. Because of the "Cambodia issue", the US continued to embargo Vietnam. Vietnam-China relations had not been normalized. Vietnam and ASEAN still see each other through the lens of the Cold War. It is no coincidence that the 7th Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam in 1991 issued the statement: “Vietnam wants to be friends with all countries in the world community, striving for peace, independence and development.”

It was in that context that Claude Blanchemaison took on the role of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to Vietnam. It was he, and no one else, who was the bridge between Vietnam and France and through France to the international community. It was he who made an important contribution to the historic visit of French President Francois Mitterrand, the first head of state from the West, to Vietnam in February 1993. This event opened a new chapter in the relationship between France and Vietnam in particular, and between Vietnam and the world in general. It would not be an exaggeration to say that, since President Mitterrand's visit, Vietnam's door to the world has been wide open.

Claude Blanchemaison's book vividly recreates the context of that period, and gives readers the opportunity to explore Vietnamese history from the perspective of a great diplomat who made a decisive contribution to the development of relations between Vietnam and France.

Speaker Introduction

• SirClaude BLANCHEMAISONHe was the French Ambassador to Vietnam for four years, a very important period for the country, from the spring of 1989 to the spring of 1993. He then served as Ambassador to India, Russia and Spain. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he held the positions of Deputy Director of the Far East Department, Director of the Asia and Oceania Department, Director of the European Department, and Director General of the International Cooperation and Development Department. At the Prime Minister's Office, he was Deputy Secretary General for European Affairs and Secretary General during the French Presidency of the European Council in 2008. For the past five years, he has been the French representative to the Board of Governors of the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) and has taught at several universities. Born in Loches in 1944, he attended high school at the Descartes School in Tours, graduated from the High School of Commerce, the Paris Institute of Political Studies and the Paris Law and Economics School. He is also an alumnus of the National School of Public Administration.
• Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Quang MinhBorn in 1962 in Ninh Giang, Hai Duong. Graduated from the Faculty of History, Kuban State University (former Soviet Union) in 1986, with a master's degree in Southeast Asian Studies from Passau University in 1996 and a PhD from Humboldt University in 2002, Pham Quang Minh has held the positions of Deputy Dean, then Dean of the Faculty of International Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi. In 2012, he was appointed Vice Rector and from January 1, 2016, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. In 2007, he was recognized as Associate Professor of History. Main teaching and research areas: International relations in Asia-Pacific, Foreign policy and international relations of Vietnam, Comparative politics. He has published 6 books and about 80 articles in prestigious domestic and international journals. He received the annual (2012) and five-year (2010-2015) outstanding scientific awards from Vietnam National University, Hanoi. In 2011, he also received the Medal of Governor General of Canada David Johnston for his contributions to the friendly relations between Vietnam and Canada.

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