Hanoi (VNA) – Madam Ngo Phuong Ly, spouse of Party General Secretary To Lam, received Madam Loo Tze Lui, spouse of visiting Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on March 26.
Ly expressed her delight at meeting Loo again and welcomed the latter to Vietnam. She believed that the ongoing official visit to Vietnam by the PM, his spouse, and the high-level delegation of Singapore will be a great success, ushering in a new chapter in Vietnam-Singapore relations.
Recalling the official visit to Singapore from March 11-13, Ly showed her gratitude to the PM, Loo, the Government and people of Singapore for their warm welcome reserved for Party General Secretary To Lam, herself and the high-ranking delegation of Vietnam.
Ly recalled her memorable participation in the orchid-naming ceremony and the deep connections formed during her trip. She shared that the newly named orchid, Papilionanda To Lam Linh Ly, has been carefully nurtured upon her return to Vietnam and was brought to this gathering as a symbol of the growing friendship between the two nations.
In response, Loo expressed her admiration for Vietnam’s rich cultural traditions. She recounted her visit to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology and her enjoyment of Vietnamese cuisine, highlighting her appreciation for the country’s deep-rooted history and diverse cultural heritage.
The two ladies exchanged insights into the cultural values of their respective nations, discussing the significance of the orchid and the lotus, each representing national pride in Singapore and Vietnam, respectively
Ly also introduced traditional Vietnamese textile weaving and presented Loo with a set of beautifully crafted ao dai, Vietnam’s signature traditional dress, elaborating on the history and symbolism of the lotus motif featured in the design.
Following their conversation, the two ladies contemplated a show of water puppetry, a distinctive Vietnamese folk art that originated in the Red River Delta. Ly expressed her hope that through this unique performance, Loo will gain a deeper understanding of Vietnam’s cultural heritage and the daily life of its people./.
