As part of the state visit to China by General Secretary and State President To Lam and his spouse, following the official welcoming ceremony, Peng Liyuan - spouse of General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping - accompanied Ngo Phuong Ly on a visit to the National Centre for the Performing Arts.

The two first ladies watched a rehearsal of a musical, toured automated service spaces operated by robots, and experienced virtual stage production technologies as well as high-tech recording studios. They also held a warm and open exchange, sharing practical experiences and discussing cultural exchange and development between the two countries.

During the exchange, Ngo Phuong Ly expressed her pleasure at returning to China and meeting Professor Peng Liyuan again. She conveyed her sincere thanks to the Party, State and people of China, especially General Secretary and President Xi Jinping and Professor Peng Liyuan, for the warm, respectful and thoughtful reception extended to the Vietnamese delegation. She also recalled memories of her visit to China in August 2024, particularly her meeting and exchange with Professor Peng Liyuan.

Sharing her impressions of the visit, Ngo Phuong Ly praised the quality and professionalism of Chinese artists, as well as the modern stage production techniques. She noted that the performance facilities are carefully invested, uniquely designed and grand in scale.

Referring to the dance drama “Peacock,” performed in Hanoi by Chinese artist Yang Liping, she encouraged more tours of high-quality artistic performances by renowned Chinese artists to Vietnam. She described such activities as meaningful in expanding access to the arts for Vietnamese audiences, contributing to cultural exchange, and strengthening the public foundation between the two nations.

According to Ngo Phuong Ly, if politics and economics are the pillars of bilateral relations, then culture and the arts are what bind the hearts of the two peoples.

Ngo Phuong Ly shared that after arriving in Beijing on April 14, she visited the Soong Ching Ling Youth Science and Culture Exchange Centre, where she witnessed the sincere and pure affection between young people from the two countries. She affirmed that Vietnam and China share similarities in valuing education and prioritizing the care, development and protection of children, dedicating the best resources to the younger generation.

For her part, Professor Peng Liyuan expressed her pleasure at meeting Ngo Phuong Ly again in China, recalling fond memories and positive impressions from her previous visits to Vietnam as well as the August 2024 visit to China by General Secretary and State President To Lam and his spouse.

She introduced several forms of Chinese stage performance, particularly musical theatre - an academic and sophisticated art form that China is currently focusing on developing and expanding.

Professor Peng Liyuan also shared insights into the application of modern technology in social services, noting that many major global events hosted by China have incorporated advanced technologies, such as the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Notably, she expressed her interest in Vietnamese cuisine and her wish to have more opportunities to enjoy its distinctive dishes, especially pho.

In response, Ngo Phuong Ly warmly invited Professor Peng Liyuan and her family to visit Vietnam again in the near future. Professor Peng expressed her sincere thanks and gladly accepted the invitation at an appropriate time.

Tran Thuong