German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his spouse visit the Temple of Literature (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his spouseElke Büdenbender visited the Temple of Literature, the first university inVietnam, in the capital city of Hanoi on January 23.
During the guidedtour, they were briefed on the history of the site and contemplated its ancientarchitectural structures.
PresidentSteinmeier expressed a keen interest in the historical, cultural, and artisticvalues of the World Documentary Heritage - the 82 Doctoral Steles, andcommended the Vietnamese nation's enduring tradition of studiousness, respectfor teachers and appreciation for intellectual talent.
Ina symbolic gesture, he even took a moment to beat a drum inthe temple's precincts.
Thecouple, eager to experience the local way of life, ventured on a brief strollthrough a narrow alley adjacent to the temple, gaining insights into the dailyroutine of the residents. This intimate encounter concluded with a leisurelypause to savour coffee, an activity that afforded them a genuine taste ofVietnamese culture.
Proceeding to theGoethe Institute, a German non-profit cultural organisation operating globally,the German President met and talked with groups of students and learners, all of whom aregearing up for studiesand work in Germany across various fields.
President Steinmeier lays a wreath at the Monument to Martyrs (Photo: VNA)
Later on the day, President Steinmeier and his wife laid wreaths at the Monument to Martyrson Bac Son street.
Theplanned agenda also includes an official welcome ceremony presided over byPresident Vo Van Thuong and his spouse, alongside talks between the two leadersthat are set to culminate in the signing and exchange of cooperationagreements, followed by a press conference the same day.
Thisis the first foreign visit of the German President in 2024 and the firsthigh-level delegation exchange between the two countries this year - a pivotalyear towards the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations in2025.
Itis also the second official visit to Vietnam by a German President since thereunification of Germany, with the last one occurring 17 years ago whenPresident Horst Köhler visited in May 2007./.
