French President Emmanuel Macron showed no signs of tension as he walked hand-in-hand with his wife, Brigitte Macron, on the final day of their state visit to Vietnam. This public show of unity came just hours after a viral video caused a stir online. The footage, recorded as the couple arrived in Hanoi, showed Brigitte placing both hands on her husband’s face in what looked like a sudden shove. At first, the French presidency claimed the video was AI-generated, but it was later confirmed to be real.
Macron addressed the media buzz directly, explaining the moment as playful teasing between him and his wife. “We were squabbling, joking. I was caught off guard,” he said. “Now it’s being treated like a global incident, even fuelling bizarre conspiracy theories.” He compared it to other recent false claims, such as fake reports of drug use involving British and German leaders or an alleged clash with Turkey’s president. “All nonsense. I took a tissue, shook a hand, joked with my wife—nothing more. People need to relax,” Macron added.
As the couple left Vietnam, they waved and smiled at their hosts. Aides close to the President described the viral scene as a private moment misinterpreted by the public. One official from the Élysée Palace said it was simply a light exchange before official duties, blown out of proportion by social media, with some blaming online misinformation from pro-Russian groups.
Interest in the Macrons’ relationship remains high. Brigitte, now 72, was Macron’s high school drama teacher, and their relationship, which began when he was a teenager, has been under public scrutiny since they married in 2007. Despite public debate, they often appear close and united at official events.
Macron’s visit to Vietnam, the first by a French leader in nearly 10 years, focused on strengthening ties through trade and diplomacy. Agreements included a major aircraft deal between VietJet and Airbus for 20 A330-900 jets. Macron also used the visit to call for a stronger global legal order amid rising geopolitical pressures, stating that “a rules-based international system must be preserved.”
The trip wasn’t all politics. Macron visited Hanoi’s Temple of Literature and paid respects at a war memorial honouring those who resisted French colonialism. France and Vietnam share a “comprehensive strategic partnership,” a status Vietnam grants only to a few nations including the US, China, and Russia. This visit highlighted France’s broader goal of becoming a stronger presence in Southeast Asia, offering an alternative to American and Chinese influence.
From diplomacy to defence, energy to culture, Macron’s Southeast Asia tour continues in Indonesia and Singapore, with plans to expand cooperation on clean energy, nuclear development, and critical minerals. Despite viral drama, Macron remains focused on his message: unity, diplomacy, and France’s global role.
