On the morning of March 26, as part of her official visit to Vietnam, Mrs. Loo Tze Lui, spouse of Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, accompanied by Mrs. Le Thi Bich Tran, spouse of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, visited the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi.

The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is dedicated to preserving, displaying, and educating the public about the diverse cultures of Vietnam’s ethnic groups, as well as those from other countries.

The museum comprises three exhibition areas: the Vietnamese Ethnic Groups Exhibition, the Outdoor Architecture Garden, and the Southeast Asia Exhibition.

Exploring cultural diversity

The two first ladies explored the rich and diverse cultural heritage showcased in the museum, including the Vietnamese Ethnic Groups Exhibition, the Architectural Garden, and the Southeast Asia Exhibition.

At the Bronze Drum House, Mrs. Loo Tze Lui was introduced to various ethnic groups in Vietnam, learning about their traditional attire, musical instruments, farming tools, daily objects, handicrafts, and rituals.

During the visit, the two first ladies experienced a symbolic journey from the north to the south of Vietnam, discovering ethnic groups such as Viet-Muong, Tay-Thai, Kadai, H'mong-Dao, Han-Tang, Mon-Khmer, and Austronesian.

Architectural wonders and traditional crafts

At the Architectural Garden, an open-air space, the two distinguished guests admired reconstructed traditional structures from various regions.

These buildings showcase the diversity of craftsmanship and indigenous knowledge, reflecting the unique lifestyles tied to ecological and cultural areas of Vietnam’s ethnic communities.

During their visit, Mrs. Le Thi Bich Tran presented Mrs. Loo Tze Lui with a conical hat adorned with lotus flowers, symbolizing Vietnam’s cultural identity, as well as brocade hats featuring colorful ethnic patterns.

The two first ladies also tried on the iconic Vietnamese conical hats and took commemorative photos.

They observed Dong Ho folk painting demonstrations, where Mrs. Le Thi Bich Tran gifted Mrs. Loo Tze Lui a traditional painting titled "Buffalo Boy Playing Flute".

The two also explored the craft of making traditional hats from Chuong Village (Hanoi), where Mrs. Le Thi Bich Tran introduced the vibrant and intricately designed lotus-patterned conical hats and ethnic brocade hats.

Representatives of the Muong ethnic group presented traditional brocade clothing to the first ladies, highlighting the unique craftsmanship and cultural significance of the garments.

In Muong tradition, brocade symbolizes wealth, prosperity, and success.

The number and quality of brocade items reflect the social status and achievements of the household, while the skill of weaving is considered a mark of talent and diligence for Muong women.

Following the cultural exploration, the first ladies enjoyed traditional Quan ho Bac Ninh folk singing, including melodious songs such as "Invitation to Drink Water" and "Invitation to Chew Betel".

The program also featured musical performances from Singapore, showcasing the harmonious cultural exchange.

Tran Thuong - Pham Hai