GENERAL SECRETARY TÔ LÂM AND SPOUSE WELCOME FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON AND FIRST LADY TO VĂN MIẾU – QUỐC TỬ GIÁM

This afternoon, in the solemn and historic atmosphere of the Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Tô Lâm and his spouse formally welcomed the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, and the First Lady, as part of their official visit to Vietnam.

From the main gate, the sounds of Hue royal court music resonated to greet the distinguished guests, creating a dignified ambiance that reflected both the high regard for the visiting heads of state and the cultural and historical significance of this iconic site, which embodies Vietnam’s long-standing tradition of reverence for education.

General Secretary Tô Lâm accompanied President Emmanuel Macron through key landmarks within the complex: Văn Miếu Gate (Main Gate), Đại Trung Gate (Great Middle Gate), the Khuê Văn Pavilion – a symbol of Hanoi, Thiên Quang Well, and the Garden of Doctoral Steles – where the names of esteemed scholars who brought glory to the nation through imperial examinations are engraved.

At the Đại Bái Courtyard, the General Secretary and his spouse invited President Macron and the First Lady to enjoy an excerpt of Hue royal court music – recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity – as a culturally rich highlight of the welcoming ceremony.

To conclude the visit, General Secretary Tô Lâm invited President Emmanuel Macron to strike the Thunder Drum in the Thái Học area. The resounding drumbeat echoed through the sacred space as a symbol of enlightenment and knowledge, reaffirming the enduring friendship between the two nations, united in their pursuit of peace, development, and cultural appreciation.