Spouses of Vietnamese, Lao, Cambodian, Thai PMs visit Temple of Literature in Hanoi

At the historic site, Madame Thuy expressed her pleasure at meeting the spouses of the prime ministers of Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand.

She said the visit offered an opportunity to deepen understanding of each other’s countries, people, and cultures while helping strengthen friendship, solidarity, and mutual trust among the peoples of the four nations.

She noted that Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand are close neighbors that share the rich cultural heritage of Southeast Asia.

The four countries place strong emphasis on family values, hospitality, community spirit, and respect for humanistic traditions, similarities that have fostered natural empathy and brought their peoples closer together.

Over the years, friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and the three neighboring countries have continued to expand across multiple fields.

Alongside the efforts of national leaders and government agencies, people-to-people exchanges and cultural activities have played an important role in strengthening mutual understanding, trust, and affection among the nations, she said.

During the visit, the spouses and their delegations toured the Temple of Literature and learned about its history, architecture, and cultural significance.

The site is regarded as the cradle of Vietnam’s education system and a symbol of the nation’s long-standing tradition of valuing learning and respecting teachers over nearly a millennium.

At an exhibition at Thai Hoc House within the relic complex, the delegation was introduced to the Garden of Laureates art installation.

Created from traditional materials such as bamboo, do paper, conical hats, and woven bamboo products, the installation blends past and present while transforming the Temple of Literature into a gathering place for generations who appreciate Vietnamese history and culture.

Building on the cultural themes presented in the exhibition, the spouses met with artisans and took part in traditional handicraft activities, including painting patterns on Vietnam's non la (conical hats), hand embroidery, and observing silk weaving.

The experiences offered the foreign guests a closer look at traditional crafts, the skill of Vietnamese artisans, and the enduring vitality of cultural values passed down through generations.

Before the conclusion of the program, the spouses of the prime ministers of Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand expressed their appreciation for the warm, thoughtful, and heartfelt hospitality extended by Madame Thuy.

They said the visit to the Temple of Literature had given them a deeper understanding of Vietnamese culture, the country’s strong educational traditions, and the distinctive cultural characteristics of different regions.

They added that the experience would help further strengthen solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and the three neighboring countries.

Madame Thuy expressed hope that the goodwill fostered through sincere exchanges such as this visit would contribute to deeper mutual understanding, stronger cultural connections, and a favorable foundation for future friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and its neighbors.

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul are in Vietnam for official visits and to attend the ASEAN Future Forum 2026, taking place in Hanoi on June 9-10, at the invitation of Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.