French President Macron beats thunderous drums when visiting the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam with General Secretary To Lam

General Secretary To Lam and his wife took a photo with French President Macron and his wife at Thien Quang well, then Khue Van Cac - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

The Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam area on May 26 was adorned with a new color with the appearance of people in ancient costumes. After 12 o'clock, the convoy of General Secretary To Lam and French President Emmanuel Macron arrived at the main gate of the relic site.

General Secretary To Lam and his wife arrived first, waiting to welcome the French leader and his wife at the car stop. The two leaders and their wives then entered the Temple of Literature - Imperial Academy. The royal music team stood along both sides of the red carpet, welcoming the distinguished guests.

The delegation then listened to an introduction to the history of the relic, passing through the Nhap Dao and Thanh Dat areas. The two leaders and their wives stopped in front of Khue Van Cac, the symbol of Hanoi and the thousand-year tradition of learning of Vietnam.

At the doctoral steles garden, French President Macron listened attentively to the introduction of 82 doctoral steles that have been recognized as world documentary heritage. The two leaders and their two wives then took a souvenir photo in front of Thien Quang well.

Leaving Thanh Dat area, the delegation continued to visit Thai Hoc area, which trained many talented people for Vietnam during feudal times.

Here, the French President tried beating the thunder drum and, together with General Secretary To Lam, remembered the ancestors who had made many contributions to ancient Vietnam, especially the nation's tradition of studiousness.

After concluding the activities at the Temple of Literature, General Secretary To Lam and French President Macron met again at the Presidential Palace Relic Site to plant a commemorative tree, marking Mr. Macron's visit and the friendship between the two countries.

French President Macron tries beating the thunder drum at the Temple of Literature - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

French President Macron visited Vietnam for three days, starting from May 25. This is his first visit to Vietnam as French President.

As head of state, he welcomed many Vietnamese leaders in Paris, most recently the visit to France in October 2024 of General Secretary To Lam and his wife.

French President Macron is sympathetic to the S-shaped land and loves Vietnamese cuisine, especially spring rolls.

Mr. Macron's sideline activities in the past two days in Hanoi, such as walking around Hoan Kiem Lake right after arriving, visiting President Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum, laying wreaths at the Monument to Heroes and Martyrs, and visiting the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam, clearly showed his affection and respect for Vietnam's history and culture.

Some pictures of French President Macron and General Secretary To Lam at the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam

General Secretary To Lam and his wife welcomed French President Macron and his wife at the car stop - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

The two leaders and their wives enter the relic site - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

This is President Macron's first visit to Vietnam since taking office - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

The two leaders chatted together at Thien Quang well - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

The two leaders viewed a photo exhibition on Vietnam - France relations - Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

At the end of the visit, the two leaders and their spouses enjoyed royal court music, another form of performing art recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Tuoitre.vn

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tong-thong-phap-macron-danh-trong-sam-khi-tham-van-mieu-quoc-tu-giam-cung-tong-bi-thu-to-lam-20250526151441411.htm#content-4