Former US First Lady Michelle Obama accompanied by actresses Julia Roberts and Vietnamese-born Lana Condor and “Today Show” co-host Jenna Bush Hager were in Vietnam early this week to promote girls' education to help reach their full potential.

Former US first lady Michelle Obama stands for a photo with female students at Can Giuoc High School in Long An province, Vietnam on Dec 9. Photo: AP

On Monday [December 9], the visitors talked with girls at a high school in the Mekong Delta province of Long An to listen to the students talk about their schoolwork and challenges.

The visitors talk with students. Photo: AP

The visitors also joined the students in a life-skills training session where the girls practiced perseverance, critical thinking and negotiating and leadership skills that could ensure the girls are able to advocate for themselves in and out of their classrooms.

Former US First Lady Michelle Obama speaks to female students at Can Giuoc High School. Photo: AP

“We are gonna shine a light on you and the work that’s going on here ... so that there are people around the world, who understand that when you educate a girl, you’ll give them power and a voice and an opportunity to improve their lives and the lives of their families and the lives of their communities,” Michelle Obama said during the visit.

Actress Julia Roberts listened to students at Can Giuoc High School. Photo: AP

This is within Girls Opportunity Alliance, one of the initiatives of the Obama Foundation. Michelle Obama has been continuing to work on promoting girls' education while her husband was president.

Jenna Bush Hager waves at students at Can Giuoc High School. Photo: AP

On this occasion, Mrs. Obama met representatives of girls education-supported non-profitable organizations to discuss measures for further operations in the country.

Vietnamese-American actress Lana Condor in Vietnam. Photo: Tuoi Tre

In Vietnam, Girls Opportunity Alliance is cooperating with Room to Read – a non-profitable organization aims to promote gender equality through education.

Michelle Obama and female students at Can Giuoc High School hold their arms in heart shapes as they say goodbye. Photo: AP

Last week, she announced that she would donate US$500,000 from the sale of her book “Becoming,” to the initiative’s fund.

Former US President Barack Obama and Ho Chi Minh City’s Party Chief Nguyen Thien Nhan at a meeting on Dec 9. Photo: VNA

On the same day, former President Barack Obama met with Party Chief of Ho Chi Minh City, saying that he will make efforts to connect US firms to invest in Vietnam, mostly in startups, according to local media.

After her visit to Vietnam, Mr. and Mrs. Obama will speak at a meeting for their foundation in Malaysia that’s set to bring together 200 young leaders across the Asia Pacific region, according to AP. Hanoitimes

Linh Pham

Former U.S. President Barack Obama makes a return visit to Vietnam

Politburo member, Secretary of HCMC Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan yesterday hosted a reception for former U.S. President Barack Obama who is paying a visit to Vietnam on December 8-11.

US former first lady visits Vietnam to promote education among adolescent girls

US former first lady Michelle Obama started a visit to Vietnam where she met with local education organisations to help adolescent girls reach their full potential.