(From sixth left) Mrs Baykham Khattiya, Bénédicte Deschamps and Maythong Thammavongsa, alongside members of the diplomatic corps, the business community, and French residents, attend the French National Day celebration in Vientiane on July 14.

France, Laos celebrate partnership on National Day

The Residence of France in Vientiane hosted more than 400 guests on July 14 to mark French National Day, celebrating a year of robust cooperation between France and Laos.
The event was attended by Minister of Health Baykham Khattiya and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Maythong Thammavongsa, alongside members of the diplomatic corps, the business community, and French residents.
French Ambassador to Laos, Bénédicte Deschamps, outlined the French Team’s strategic roadmap for the coming three years.
“The main priorities are to deepen our political and economic relations, pursue our cooperation on global challenges including health, sustainable agriculture and sustainable tourism, strengthen our partnership in support of the French language and the Francophonie, and further improve the services provided to the French community in Laos,” the Ambassador said.

From left (first)President of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Laos, Mr Stéphane Gil; (fourth) President of the French Foreign Trade Advisors in Laos, Mr Jean-Pierre Grzelczyk; (fifth)Ambassador Bénédicte; (seventh) French Foreign Trade Advisor in Laos, Michael Michel stands with French residents at the French National Day celebration.

A key announcement for the summer is the rebranding of the “Embassy of France Campus” to the “French Team Campus”. This facility will centralise French research institutes CIRAD and IRD, the French Development Agency (AFD), and Expertise France (EF).
It will also serve as a joint hub for the French Foreign Trade Advisors (CCEF) and the French-Lao Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIFL) to assist French companies exploring investment opportunities in Laos. The Ambassador underscored the synergy between Team France and Team Europe, highlighting several flagship initiatives demonstrating the depth of bilateral ties.
These include the Hinboun Geopark’s bid for UNESCO Global Geopark status, the Green Cup Project supporting coffee and tea value chains in northern Laos, and ongoing scientific cooperation focused on the “One Health” approach to epidemic prevention.
Throughout the evening, guests were invited to discover the diversity of France’s regions, enjoy performances by Lao and French artists (Lydia Ebdon-Borde, Michel Saada, Olivier Stein, and Souphalak Phongsavath), savour French culinary specialties, and dance to a lively mix of Lao and French music.
The Embassy extends its sincere thanks to the students of the French Department of the National University of Laos for their beautiful performance of the Lao and French national anthems.

By Advertorial Desk
 (Latest Update July 20, 2026)