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Originally from Limousin and now living in Vietnam for almost twenty years, Nicolas Leymonerie blends civic engagement and a professional career in digital technology — creator of a local business, player in the French Tech Vietnam and founder of the Vietnamese branch of theIGDABased in Dalat Since 2011, he has invested his energies in the French-speaking, the protection of heritage, support for victims of Agent Orange and the memory of Alexandre Yersin, by launching in particular The Antenna, French-speaking center of the Central Highlands. Author of Understanding the Vietnamese, certified Vietnamese teacher and decorated with theNational Order of Merithe leads the list Living in Vietnam: French solidarity and the Francophonie for the consular elections of May 31, 2026, carrying a vision centered on the solidarity, L’integration and the democratic representation of French citizens living abroad.
Nicolas Leymonerie embodies for two decades a deep commitment to the French solidarity and the French-speaking in Vietnam. This article retraces his personal and professional journey, his involvement in associations, and his independent candidacy in the elections for representatives of French citizens abroad for the upcoming elections. May 31, 2026, as well as the priorities it has to strengthen ties within the French community and promote the integration of French people in Vietnam.
Personal journey and local roots
Originally from the Limousin region of France and 45 years old, Nicolas Leymonerie has lived in Vietnam for over twenty years. He arrived in Hanoi to join his wife, whom he met in Paris, and worked for local digital companies before starting his own business. His career has led him to contribute to the Vietnamese tech ecosystem, notably by founding the local branch of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) and participating in the early stages of the French Tech Vietnam.
After settling with his family in Dalat In 2011, he increased his local involvement. A father of two Franco-Vietnamese children, he shares his integration experience in the book Understanding the Vietnamese and now teaches Vietnamese, after obtaining a certification in Ho Chi Minh City. His professional and civic profile can be accessed via his page LinkedIn and was the subject of a portrait in The Little Journal.
Community involvement, memory and heritage protection
Alongside his wife, Nicolas founded in 2016 the AntennaThe only French-language center in the Central Highlands, it strengthens the French-language cultural and educational presence in a region often far from major urban centers. In 2020, the branch joined the International Network of Francophone Centers, where it now holds a seat on the board and represents civil society initiatives for the French language.
His volunteer work covers several areas: Franco-Vietnamese cooperation, the promotion of the French language, the memory of Alexandre Yersin, the protection of architectural heritage, environmental protection, and aid to victims of Agent Orange. These actions earned him the distinction of being awarded theNational Order of Merit.
His commitments are part of a broader regional context, where the Francophonie takes on various forms, as illustrated by the importance of Phnom Penh in the Francophone dynamic described on Southeast Asia, or the challenges facing the French language in the current situation in Cambodia (Southeast Asia).
An independent candidacy and the formation of the list
The list Living in Vietnam: French solidarity and the Francophonie presents himself as an independent citizen candidacy, without the support of any prominent partisan or associative group. Nicolas explains that putting together a list from Dalat, far from the administrative centers, was a challenge, made possible by early mobilization starting in early 2025 and by meetings to bring together diverse, humble, and experienced individuals based in Dalat, Hanoi And Ho Chi Minh City.
This dynamic is part of a broader movement of initiatives by expatriate citizens wishing to preserve France’s image and influence abroad. Media coverage and the visibility of this approach are amplified by profiles and articles, particularly on [website/platform name]. LesFrancais.press and through video content accessible via YouTube.
The advisor’s mission: assistance, representation and pluralism
For Nicolas, the function of advisor to French citizens abroad It combines a dimension of concrete assistance—supporting with administrative procedures, facilitating access to rights, and supporting daily life—with an essential democratic dimension: representation. The mandate must guarantee the pluralism within consular councils and ensure that local public action serves the general interest rather than particular interests.
The list highlights the importance of the upcoming election. May 31, 2026 These elections also allow for the indirect election of senators representing French citizens living abroad and provide a window of influence on decisions that directly impact the lives of expatriates. Official information on the organization of the election is available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. diplomatie.gouv.fr.
Why participate: democratic issues and abstention rates
These elections are among the few where French citizens living abroad directly elect their local representatives. Nicolas highlights the strong disaffection with this vote, linked to a lack of understanding of the role of councilors but also to a distrust of candidates perceived as too close to political circles. Previous elections have seen very high abstention rates, depriving the community of truly diverse and renewed representation.
The list’s approach aims to offer an alternative and to convince that the election of at least one independent councillor can breathe new life into the country and ensure that the voice of French citizens in Vietnam is heard within consular and senatorial bodies.
The concrete challenges faced by the French in Vietnam
Vietnam applies a strong national preferenceThis limits the rights and stability of foreigners. For French citizens already living in or wishing to settle in France, this often means dealing with precarious employment, strict regulations, and a need to adapt. Nicolas emphasizes the importance of clearly informing fellow citizens to avoid integration mistakes and to help them make the most of local opportunities.
Furthermore, the likelihood of a gradual reduction in public assistance (scholarships, social benefits) necessitates greater self-reliance, increased solidarity among compatriots, and more sustained integration into Vietnamese society. The list proposes to embody a project of lucidity, of responsibility and of solidarity, in the face of a support model sometimes considered fragile.
Concrete actions and projects led by Nicolas Leymonerie
On the ground, Nicolas acts as a liaison within the consular security network for the Central Highlands region and works to strengthen community ties through digital tools and social media. He also uses his linguistic and teaching skills by teaching Vietnamese, thus contributing to the cultural integration of newcomers.
His projects also reflect a desire to strengthen the Francophone presence and educational exchanges, similar to the university and cultural initiatives mentioned in the region since the opening of courses in Phnom Penh (Southeast Asia) up to local initiatives launched from abroad (Southeast Asia).
Resources, articles and public statements
To better understand the Francophone dynamics in Southeast Asia and to draw inspiration from similar initiatives, several articles and analyses can be consulted: highlighting Phnom Penh as a Francophone capital (Southeast Asia), reflections on the place of French in Cambodia (Southeast Asia), and testimonies from committed teachers (Southeast Asia).
To follow the campaign and the list’s public statements, you can refer to the profile published by The Little Journal, to the introductory article on LesFrancais.press, as well as the video available on YouTubeRegional analyses and related initiatives are available on Southeast Asia and other specialist publications.
The official procedures and documents relating to the consular elections for the Vietnam constituency can be found on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: diplomatie.gouv.fr.
Frequently asked questions about his background, his commitments and the “Living in Vietnam” list
Q : Who is Nicolas Leymonerie ? R : Nicolas Leymonerie is a Frenchman originally from Limousin, installed at Vietnam for twenty years. Married and father of two Franco-Vietnamese children, he worked in the digital sector before creating his own company and becoming deeply involved in promoting the French-speaking and Franco-Vietnamese cooperation. Q What are his community and cultural involvements? R He co-founded the only French-speaking center in the Central Highlands, theAntennaand led the Vietnamese branch of theIGDAHe participates in International Network of Francophone Houses and is involved in the protection of heritage, the memory of Alexandre Yersin, and providing aid to victims of theAgent Orange. Q What professional and teaching experience does he bring? R After holding positions in Vietnamese companies and creating a digital company, he wrote a book to better understand local society, then obtained a teaching certification in Vietnamese, which he now teaches alongside translation and writing activities. Q What list does he represent and what are his objectives? R He is leading the list Living in Vietnam: French solidarity and the FrancophonieThe list aims to promote the solidarity between compatriots, to guarantee the pluralism in consular councils and to defend independent representation, geared towards the general interest rather than partisan interests. Q How was the list compiled? R Starting from the observation of a lack of support from local organizations, the formation of this group required several months of meetings and calls for applications. The list now comprises members based in Dalat, Hanoi And Ho Chi Minh Citychosen for their humility, experience and ability to integrate. Q What is the main mission of an advisor to French citizens abroad, according to him? R Beyond providing daily administrative assistance, he emphasizes the democratic representation resulting from direct universal suffrage: ensuring the expression of pluralism, defending the rights of French citizens abroad and strengthening community ties through dialogue and trust. Q Why is it important to vote in consular elections? R These elections are the only ones that allow for the election of local representatives capable of taking concrete action for the community and for the election of a senator representing French citizens living abroad. The vote of May 31, 2026 is presented as a major milestone to influence local life for the next six years. Q What major challenges do the French citizens in the constituency face? R : THE Vietnam applies a strong national preference, often making the settlement of foreigners precarious. This is compounded by a likely gradual reduction in certain public aid programs, requiring more…autonomy, of solidarity community and active integration into Vietnamese society. Q What does the list propose to address these challenges? R It advocates a clear-sighted and responsible model for the future, based on solidarity among French people, the strengthening of mutual aid networks, the transparency of consular actions and the defense of independent and non-partisan representation. Q What is the scope of his local involvement in Dalat? R : HAS DalatHe developed cultural and educational activities through the branch, strengthened ties with friendship associations, and worked for heritage protection and social action, which earned him the decoration of theNational Order of Merit. Q How does his personal background influence his political vision? R His long and active involvement in Vietnamese society, his professional and associative experiences, lead him to advocate a pragmatic commitment: promoting integration, resilience and solidarity rather than exclusive dependence on external aid.