Vietnamese, Swiss leaders, their spouses take evening stroll around Hanoi’s iconic lake

Pedestrian streets surrounding the lake were bustling with residents enjoying the weekend with family and friends.

At around 8:30 pm, following a busy first day of his official visit to Vietnam, Swiss President Parmelin and his wife, Caroline Parmelin, left the Presidential Office alongside the Vietnamese leader and his wife, Ngo Phuong Ly, and walked toward the lake.

Living testament to Vietnam-Switzerland friendship

The cool autumn evening in Hanoi provided a pleasant setting for the distinguished visitors.

Party chief and President Lam introduced the Swiss president to Hoan Kiem Lake, one of the capital’s most iconic landmarks and a must-see destination for international visitors.

According to legend, the lake is associated with Emperor Le Loi’s return of a magical sword after defeating foreign invaders.

For generations, it has symbolised Vietnam’s aspiration for peace – a value that resonates with Switzerland’s long-standing tradition of neutrality and dialogue.

Earlier that day, the two leaders had held successful talks, setting out key directions for strengthening bilateral ties, and making cooperation between the two countries deeper, more substantive and more effective.

Their informal stroll offered a vivid illustration of the friendship between Vietnam and Switzerland.

Dressed in elegant ao dai (traditional Vietnamese long gown), the Vietnamese leader’s spouse Ly and the Swiss president’s spouse walked side by side, chatting warmly and continuing conversations begun during their afternoon meeting at the Hanoi University of Pharmacy.

The unexpected appearance of the two leaders and their spouses delighted residents out enjoying the weekend.

Many waved enthusiastically and quickly took photographs to capture the encounter.

The leaders and their spouses responded with smiles and waves of their own.

The group then stopped to watch a team of portrait artists working beside the lake.

After learning of the Swiss president’s visit, several artists prepared portraits of Parmelin and his wife.

Two other artists finished painting portraits of top Vietnamese leader Lam and his spouse.

The paintings were subsequently presented to the distinguished guests, conveying the warmth and hospitality of Hanoi’s people.

Warm encounters over traditional folk toy

After bidding farewell to the artists, the delegation continued to a stall displaying to he, a traditional Vietnamese folk toy.

Made from steamed glutinous rice flour and colored with natural ingredients such as gac fruit, turmeric, and plant leaves, these small figurines have long been a familiar part of Vietnamese childhood.

Parmelin and his wife appeared delighted by this distinctive folk art.

The Vietnamese leader cheerfully presented the Swiss president with a dragon-shaped to he and another figurine featuring the Swiss flag.

Meanwhile, his spouse Ly also gave Caroline Parmelin one of the charming handmade creations.

Laughter filled the air, lending the encounter a relaxed and intimate atmosphere.

The stroll continued to a floral clock beside the lake.

Few people may know that the clock was a gift from the mayor of Bern, Switzerland to Hanoi and was installed to mark the capital’s 1,000th anniversary in 2010.

In the heart of Hanoi, the president of Switzerland – the country widely known as the ‘land of watches’ – was visibly pleased to encounter a familiar connection to his homeland.

The two leaders and their wives spent some time at the clock, chatting warmly before posing for commemorative photographs.

As the evening drew to a close, the Vietnamese leader and his wife said goodbye to Parmelin and his spouse.

The lakeside stroll had left a favorable impression on the visiting couple.

After the Swiss delegation departed, Party chief and President Lam and his spouse remained for a while, returning to speak with and thank the portrait artists and to he artisans.

They also waved to the many residents gathered nearby.

Meaningful visit in 55th year of diplomatic relations

President Parmelin’s official visit to Vietnam from October 17 to 18 came at a particularly meaningful time.

It marked his first visit to Vietnam in his position as president.

The occasion was all the more significant as 2026 marks the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Switzerland.

Beyond official talks and the signing of documents, informal activities such as the evening walk around Hoan Kiem Lake helped foster familiarity, mutual trust, and closer connections between the leaders and peoples of the two countries.

The sight of senior Vietnamese and Swiss leaders and their wives strolling at an unhurried pace among the weekend crowds also offered a vivid portrait of Hanoi as a safe, welcoming, and hospitable city.

It was, in turn, a reflection of Vietnam that an increasing number of international visitors are coming to know and appreciate.