French President and First Lady walk around Hoan Kiem Lake at night

On the evening of May 25, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron took a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake right after arriving in Hanoi , starting a State visit to Vietnam from May 25 to 27 at the invitation of President Luong Cuong.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron arrive at Noi Bai airport. Source: French Embassy

After moving from Noi Bai International Airport to the Metropole Hotel (Hoan Kiem District), at around 10 p.m. the same day, President Macron and his wife left the hotel and walked to Hoan Kiem Lake.

The delegation walked through Ly Thai To Street, to the statue of King Ly Thai To, and then continued to visit Ngoc Son Temple. Here, President Macron and his wife stopped for a long time to observe the Hoan Kiem Lake turtle specimen and asked many questions to the accompanying people about this specimen.

Appearing in formal attire - Mr. Macron wore a dark suit and Ms. Brigitte stood out in a red suit - the two continuously chatted, expressing their interest in Hanoi's landscape, history and culture.

The tour lasted nearly an hour, ending at around 11 p.m. when the President and his wife returned to the hotel to rest and prepare for official activities within the framework of the State visit to Vietnam.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron take a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake right after arriving in Hanoi. Photo: Hai Pham

According to the program, today, May 26, the French President will visit and lay a wreath at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, lay a wreath at the Monument to Heroes and Martyrs, attend a State-level welcoming ceremony, and have talks and meetings with senior Vietnamese leaders.

The French Embassy in Vietnam on the evening of May 25 also released a statement from the French President after arriving in Vietnam: "After a long journey, we have arrived in Hanoi with the French delegation.

This is the first leg of a strategic tour to Vietnam, Indonesia and then Singapore.

It is in this Indo- Pacific region that part of our common future is open to all of us French people.

The greatest challenges of this century – climate, economic, geopolitical – can only be solved through cooperation with our partners, and especially with this part of the world, a vital gateway for global trade, a cradle of innovation, growth and technology.

President Emmanuel Macron observes the turtle specimen at Hoan Kiem Lake. Photo: Hai Pham

This is why France is present and acts together with its partners, through concrete projects for the benefit of the region, of our two countries' businesses and for our common future.

I came here to strengthen our relationship in key areas: defense, innovation, energy transition, cultural exchange.

Everywhere I go, I always say one simple thing: France is a power of peace and balance. France is a reliable partner, one that believes in dialogue and cooperation.

"When some countries choose to withdraw, France chooses to build bridges" - President Emmanuel Macron.