Cairo (VNA) – State President Luong Cuong, accompanied by his spouse and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, on August 4 toured the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), a monumental cultural landmark of Egypt in the 21st century.
Exploring the museum’s vast collection of artifacts, President Cuong expressed admiration for its scale and diversity, which vividly reflect Egypt’s rich cultural heritage. He noted that the museum stands as a testament to Egypt’s efforts to modernise its tourism industry while preserving its heritage.
Vietnam always reveres the brilliant civilisation of the Arab world, he said, citing the millennia-old epics, philosophy, and poetry that have captivated generations of Vietnamese. Egypt’s distinctive cultural identity and timeless values of wisdom, courage, and justice, he added, continue to inspire and enrich global civilisation.
On the occasion, he gifted a replica of Vietnam’s Ngoc Lu bronze drum, a cultural icon, to the museum. The museum’s director, expressing gratitude for the “invaluable gift”, promised to display it prominently.
Located in Giza governorate, about 20 km west of Cairo and 1.2 km from the Giza Pyramids, the GEM spans 480,000 sq.m, with 24,000 sq.m for exhibitions. Construction began in 2002, and its 12 main galleries explore ancient Egyptian royalty, society, and beliefs, housing 57,000 artifacts, including 14,000 on display. Advanced technologies like 3D visuals, virtual reality, and modern lighting enhance visitor immersion./.
