In a significant cultural exchange between Vietnam and France, Ngô Phuong Ly, wife of Vietnam's Communist Party Secretary General Tô Lâm, accompanied France's First Lady Brigitte Macron on a special tour of the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts in Hanoi on Sunday afternoon.
The visit took place on May 26 as part of French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to Vietnam, highlighting the growing cultural ties between the two nations.
During their tour of the museum galleries, Ngô Phuong Ly guided Madame Macron through an impressive collection of artworks that showcase Vietnam's rich cultural heritage and historical significance. The exhibition featured nine Vietnamese national treasures that particularly captivated the attention of both distinguished guests.
A highlight of the visit was the presentation of the iconic painting "Em Thúy" (Little Thúy) by artist Trân Van Cân. Recognized as a masterpiece of modern Vietnamese portraiture, this artwork deeply embodies the beauty of Vietnamese cultural identity. The emotional impact of the painting was enhanced by a musical performance of "Little Thúy's Minuet," composed by Paul Zetter and played on violin, creating a moving atmosphere for the First Ladies and other attendees.
Brigitte Macron repeatedly expressed her admiration for the exhibited works and warmly thanked Ngô Phuong Ly for her attentive hospitality at this emblematic venue of Vietnamese culture.
This cultural exchange forms part of a broader strengthening of Vietnam-France relations, which also includes strategic cooperation in defense, sports development, and other key areas as highlighted during President Macron's official visit.
