Hanoi (VNA) - Party General Secretary To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly invited French President Emmanuel Macron and his spouse Brigitte Macron to visit the Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam, Vietnam’s first national university, to learn about Vietnamese culture, as part of their state visit to Vietnam on May 26.
The Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam, built in 1070, educated generations of talented scholars from the Ly to the Le dynasties, who made significant contributions to the nation’s development.
The historical, cultural, and scholarly values embodied in this relic site serve as a reflection of Vietnam’s long-standing traditions of learning, respect for teachers, and reverence for talent. The site preserves many valuable artifacts and documents, including 82 stone steles honouring doctoral laureates, recognised by UNESCO as “World Documentary Heritage.”
At the main courtyard of the Temple of Literature, General Secretary Lam, French President Macron and their spouses enjoyed Hue royal court music performances.
They then viewed a photo exhibition highlighting key milestones in the relationship between the two countries.
President Macron expressed his admiration for Vietnam’s long-standing culture, education, and deep respect for learning. He praised the Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam as a symbol of Vietnam’s reverence for scholarship and a unique embodiment of the nation’s cultural and intellectual legacy.
Lam’s invitation for the French leader to visit the Temple of Literature – Quoc Tu Giam and experience Vietnam’s traditional cultural and artistic values held special significance, as cultural and educational cooperation is one of the most prominent areas in the bilateral relationship and also a highlight of the President’s state visit to Vietnam.
On the same day, General Secretary Lam and President Macron planted a friendship tree at the President Ho Chi Minh relic site. During the visit, the host introduced his guest to the late leader’s stilt house and shared about the life and legacy of President Ho Chi Minh – a national liberation hero and an outstanding cultural figure of Vietnam./.
