HANOI, May 26, 2025 — A brief and seemingly awkward moment involving French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron during their arrival in Vietnam has drawn international attention, after a video clip appeared to show the First Lady swatting or pushing her husband’s face just before he stepped off the presidential aircraft.

The footage, captured late Sunday night, shows President Macron standing at the aircraft door as a hand—identified as Brigitte Macron’s—momentarily pushes his face away. The President steps back slightly before regaining composure and proceeding to greet onlookers and the awaiting media at the bottom of the stairs.

Brigitte Macron remained out of sight for a few seconds before joining her husband, and the pair descended the steps together, smiling and waving to cameras. The short incident, though widely circulated online, has been firmly downplayed by the Élysée Palace, which labeled it a light-hearted and private exchange between the couple.

“A Moment of Affection,” Says Presidential Office

In a statement to the press, an Élysée official dismissed suggestions of any tension, saying, “It was simply a candid, playful moment shared between the President and his wife. There is no story here beyond a light gesture between two people who know each other well.”

Another member of the president’s entourage referred to the interaction as a “harmless, personal moment,” describing it as the kind of casual behavior often seen in long-standing relationships. “They were just joking with each other after a long flight,” the source added.

Despite speculation in parts of the media, those close to the presidential couple emphasized that no disagreement or argument had occurred.

Macron’s First Visit to Vietnam in Nearly a Decade

The French President’s visit to Vietnam marks the first official trip by a French head of state to the country in almost 10 years, and is part of a broader diplomatic tour through Southeast Asia. Macron’s agenda includes strengthening economic and political ties with Vietnam, a former French colony, as France seeks to reinforce its presence in the region amid growing competition from the US and China.

During his first day in Hanoi, Macron and Brigitte Macron appeared composed and cheerful as they posed for photographs at the Presidential Palace, further signaling that the earlier moment had no lasting impact.

Geopolitical Context

The visit also comes at a delicate time in international trade dynamics. Vietnam, heavily reliant on exports, is attempting to strike a balance in its trade relationships, particularly with the United States and the European Union. While Hanoi has made recent trade concessions to Washington in hopes of averting high tariffs, Brussels has expressed concern that these deals may disadvantage European exporters.

Meanwhile, tensions between the US and EU remain simmering. US President Donald Trump recently threatened to impose 50% tariffs on European imports, although he has since given both sides until July 9 to resume talks and possibly reach a new trade agreement.

Final Thoughts

While the viral clip of the Macrons sparked a wave of commentary online, the French President’s team has effectively minimized the incident, framing it as a lighthearted moment between spouses rather than a diplomatic faux pas. As the visit progresses, the focus is likely to return to the more pressing matters of trade, diplomacy, and France’s strategic interests in Southeast Asia.

In the end, the minor on-camera gesture has done little to overshadow the purpose of Macron’s trip: reinforcing France’s influence in a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape.