French president, his spouse stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi

The stroll took place shortly after the French leader and his spouse arrived in Hanoi.

Departing from their hotel, the French president and his spouse meandered through the streets surrounding the lake, a popular spot in the heart of the Vietnamese capital.

As they passed through Ly Thai To Flower Garden, a weekend gathering place for many locals, several Vietnamese residents recognized the French leader and called out greetings, to which he responded cheerfully with waves.

Upon arriving at Hoan Kiem Lake, the French leader and his spouse chose to walk along the lakeside, immersing themselves in the atmosphere of Hanoi with its 1,000-year-old history and rich, elegant culture.

Some French tourists were surprised to see their president appear in Hanoi.

Continuing their evening stroll, they visited the iconic The Huc Bridge and Ngoc Son Temple, a must-see destination for travelers in Hanoi.

At the temple, President Macron was introduced to the site’s history, including tales of Vietnamese legends such as King Le Thai To and the mythical sword-returning turtle.

He also viewed the preserved specimen of the Hoan Kiem turtle, a symbol of the legendary story deeply rooted in Vietnamese heritage.

After leaving the temple, the French president and his spouse resumed their walk along the lakeshore.

Throughout the evening, President Macron was seen admiring the surrounding architecture, occasionally inquiring about buildings with distinct French architectural features.

The walk concluded after 11:00 pm on Sunday, capping off the first day of President Macron’s visit to Vietnam.

Despite a long-haul flight earlier that day, the French leader’s decision to spend time experiencing local culture firsthand underscored his respect and appreciation for Vietnam’s rich traditions.

The three-day visit marks President Macron’s first trip to the Southeast Asian nation since taking office in 2017.

Upon arrival in Hanoi, he emphasized his intention to strengthen bilateral relations in such key fields as defense, innovation, energy transition, and cultural exchange.

He stressed that the biggest challenges of the century could only be addressed through cooperation with partners in the Indo-Pacific, a region he described as a hub of vibrant trade, innovation, and technological advancement.

“This is why France is present and actively working with its partners through concrete projects that benefit the region, businesses, and our shared future,” the president affirmed.