On June 8, as part of the official visits to Vietnam and participation in the ASEAN Future Forum 2026 by high-level delegations from Laos, Cambodia and Thailand, Dao Thi Bich Thuy, spouse of Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, joined Vandara Siphandone, spouse of the Prime Minister of Laos, Pich Chamony, spouse of the Prime Minister of Cambodia, and Thananon Niramit, spouse of the Prime Minister of Thailand, for a visit and cultural programme at the Temple of Literature.

At the Temple of Literature, Thuy expressed her pleasure at meeting the spouses of the prime ministers of Laos, Cambodia and Thailand. She said she believed the visit would not only provide an opportunity to learn more about each other's countries, people and cultures, but would also help strengthen friendship, solidarity and mutual trust among the peoples of the four nations.

She noted that Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand are close neighbours that share the rich cultural space of Southeast Asia. The countries place great importance on family values, hospitality, community solidarity and respect for humanistic traditions. These shared characteristics, she said, have fostered a natural sense of connection and brought their peoples closer together.

Over the years, relations between Vietnam and Laos, Cambodia and Thailand have continued to strengthen and expand across a wide range of fields. Alongside the efforts of national leaders and government agencies, people-to-people exchanges and cultural connectivity activities have played an important role in promoting mutual understanding, trust and friendship among the nations.

During the programme, the ladies and accompanying delegation toured the Temple of Literature and received an introduction to its history, architecture and cultural significance. The site is regarded as the cradle of Vietnam's educational tradition and a symbol of the nation's respect for learning and teachers over nearly a thousand years.

At the exhibition "Scholars 3 - Stories of Scholars" inside Thai Hoc House, located within the Temple of Literature complex, the delegation was introduced to the "Garden of Laureates" art installation. Created using traditional materials such as bamboo, do paper, conical hats and woven rattan, the installation blends past and present, creating new cultural dialogues and transforming the historic monument into a gathering place for generations who cherish Vietnamese history and culture.

Continuing their cultural journey through the exhibition, the ladies met with artisans and personally participated in a range of traditional craft activities, including painting decorative patterns on conical hats, hand embroidery and observing silk weaving. These hands-on experiences offered the international guests a deeper appreciation of Vietnam's traditional crafts, the skill of its artisans and the enduring vitality of cultural values preserved through generations.

Before the programme concluded, the spouses of the prime ministers of Laos, Cambodia and Thailand expressed their appreciation for the warm, thoughtful and gracious hospitality extended by Dao Thi Bich Thuy and the Vietnamese hosts.

They said the visit to the Temple of Literature allowed them to experience the friendliness and hospitality of the Vietnamese people while gaining a deeper understanding of Vietnam's culture, educational traditions and regional cultural diversity. They added that such exchanges help further strengthen solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Laos, Cambodia and Thailand.

Dao Thi Bich Thuy expressed hope that the goodwill fostered through sincere exchanges such as this would deepen mutual understanding, strengthen cultural connections and create a stronger foundation for friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and its neighbouring countries.

Tran Thuong