German President explores Temple of Literature in Hanoi
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his spouse Elke Büdenbender visited the Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam, in the capital city of Hanoi on January 23.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his spouse visit the Temple of Literature (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his spouseElke Büdenbender visited the Temple of Literature, the first university inVietnam, in the capital city of Hanoi on January 23.
During the guidedtour, they were briefed on the history of the site and contemplated its ancientarchitectural structures.
PresidentSteinmeier expressed a keen interest in the historical, cultural, and artisticvalues of the World Documentary Heritage - the 82 Doctoral Steles, andcommended the Vietnamese nation's enduring tradition of studiousness, respectfor teachers and appreciation for intellectual talent.
Ina symbolic gesture, he even took a moment to beat a drum inthe temple's precincts.
Thecouple, eager to experience the local way of life, ventured on a brief strollthrough a narrow alley adjacent to the temple, gaining insights into the dailyroutine of the residents. This intimate encounter concluded with a leisurelypause to savour coffee, an activity that afforded them a genuine taste ofVietnamese culture.
꧅ Proceeding to theGoethe Institute, a German non-profit cultural organisation operating globally,the German President met and talked with groups of students and learners, all of whom aregearing up for studiesand work in Germany across various fields.
President Steinmeier lays a wreath at the Monument to Martyrs (Photo: VNA)
Later on the day, President Steinmeier and his wife laid wreaths at the Monument to Martyrson Bac Son street.
Theplanned agenda also includes an official welcome ceremony presided over byPresident Vo Van Thuong and his spouse, alongside talks between the two leadersthat are set to culminate in the signing and exchange of cooperationagreements, followed by a press conference the same day.
Thisis the first foreign visit of the German President in 2024 and the firsthigh-level delegation exchange between the two countries this year - a pivotalyear towards the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations in2025.
ꦍ Itis also the second official visit to Vietnam by a German President since thereunification of Germany, with the last one occurring 17 years ago whenPresident Horst Köhler visited in May 2007./.
Tourists and locals in the capital city of Hanoi will have an opportunity to enjoy a feast of dazzling light and traditional music and a taste of quintessence of Vietnamese educational history while engaging in the night tour to the Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature) in the heart of Hanoi.
The Temple of Literature - a Special National Relic Site in Hanoi - has been actively innovating and promoting tourism products using technology and digital transformation to offer a new experience to tourists and become Vietnam’s leading smart tourism destination.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his spouse visit the Temple of Literature (Photo: VNA) 
President Steinmeier lays a wreath at the Monument to Martyrs (Photo: VNA) 
