Feeling like at home

Julien Guerrier said: "I must have been Hanoian in a previous life, so much I feel at ease and at home in this city!"

Ha Noi is a unique city, full of charm, with tree-lined avenues, parks and lakes that make it blend with nature in a very peaceful way. I like strolling in the small streets and alleys of my quarter, Tay Ho, in the old city or in the French quarter, admiring architecture that reminds me of my home country.

Hanoian cooking is wonderful, from street food to high-end restaurants, shared the diplomat, adding that he does not have enough time to discover all delights of the city. 

"I love Cha Ca, Ha Noi Nems, Vietnamese but also international cuisines that we can find in the city at the highest world standards.

And of course the people here make life in Ha Noi a real pleasure: serious, effective and friendly. With creativity and result-orientation, Hanoians always find a solution to any challenge! I am still struggling with the language but I will not give up, for the pleasure of being able to interact directly with Hanoians in Vietnamese", said Julien Guerrier.

EU supports Ha Noi's sustainable development efforts

The EU committed to fund €10 million (US$10.8 million) for technical assistance project to carry out a feasibility study for extending Metro Line 3 in Ha Noi.

Ambassador Julien Guerrier said this project will contribute to Ha Noi's sustainable development and poverty reduction. 

Beyond the improvement of air quality, the positive impacts on the current severe traffic congestion will ease urban mobility at a large scale, and will facilitate access of poor people to health, educational facilities and economic activities, he added.

Ha Noi metro line 3 has the potential to become a flagship of Team Europe's support to sustainable mobility in Viet Nam, through transfer of technology and know-how and to environmental sustainability. 

The EU will certainly explore opportunities for further cooperation with Vietnamese authorities, international organizations, and other relevant stakeholders to accompany with dedicated support the implementation of the Ha Noi metro line 3 extension and to promote sustainable mobility in Ha Noi and other cities in Viet Nam.

The EU will also consider further supporting the development of green transportation solutions, such as electric buses, and to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The end objective being to develop an integrated urban transport system, through comprehensive and sustainable mobility planning, and improved operation and maintenance capacities and competences, with institutional capacity building.

The EU will work closely with Vietnamese partners to identify and address the specific needs and challenges of Ha Noi's transportation system, including traffic congestion, air quality, and safety concerns

Ambassador Julien Guerrier suggested Viet Nam can take inspiration from the work of multilateral institutions like the IMF whose very recent report highlights for example human capital accumulation, increasing trade openness and FDI inflows, or the need for broader structural reform. 

The EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has brought more trade between the EU and Viet Nam. More can be done by fully implementing the EVFTA, thus releasing its full potential, as EU business and EuroCham also are pointing out.

As regards the green agenda, the EU's Team Europe has engaged to support and fund projects, which will implement the Just Energy Transition Partnership, with hands-on opportunities, according to the diplomat. 

He said EU businesses also point to the importance of reliable access to clean energy to which these projects can contribute. Determined decisions pushing such projects forward will send a clear positive signal../.