Vietnam welcomed heads of states and leaders of many countries, including China, the US, Singapore, Germany, South Korea, Australia, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands and Malaysia.

In addition to official working timetables, foreign politicians showed interest in wandering the streets, sipping coffee at pavement cafes, drinking draught beer, and tasting Vietnam’s banh my (bread).

In late November 2023, during his third visit to Vietnam, despite a busy working schedule, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh spent time cycling around the city together to enjoy the autumn in Hanoi.

The two Prime Ministers and their accompanying teams cycled through Phan Dinh Phung, Nguyen Tri Phuong, Dien Bien Phu and Ton That Dam streets. On the journey, Chinh introduced the beautiful scenery and historical works of Hanoi. The Dutch Prime Minister said he was impressed by the beauty of Hanoi, which is a combination of modernity and antiquity.

“I was right behind the two Prime Ministers and enjoyed truly touching moments as the bicycle riding culture was inspired by the two state leaders right on Hanoi’s streets,” said Vietnamese Ambassador to the Netherlands Ngo Huong Nam.

Many observant Hanoians realized that the special bikes that the two Prime Ministers rode were public bikes from the city's urban bicycle development project. 

On the bikes, there were logos to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Netherlands, with a stylized lotus and tulip. 

The image of the two Prime Ministers cycling together conveyed a dual message:  the "greening" of traffic and a healthy activity. 

Nam commented that the activity has important significance as Vietnam is gearing up green transition and emission reduction, adapting to climate change, and developing green economy and circular economy, as well as renewable energy. 

Mark Rutte said he was impressed by the city which is more than one thousand years old, with its colorful and distinct cultural features. 

In July 2023, Prime Minister Chinh and his wife invited Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his wife to visit to Hanoi Book Street on the occasion of their visit to Vietnam.

While reading books and tasting Vietnamese coffee, Prime Minister Chinh introduced Vietnamese cultural traditions, and the studiousness and reading culture of Vietnamese people.

Chinh presented Anwar Ibrahim the book "Prison Diary" by President Ho Chi Minh, “Some theoretical and practical issues on socialism and the path towards socialism in Vietnam” by Vietnamese Party Chief Nguyen Phu Trong, “The Love of the World's People for President Ho Chi Minh” and " Wandering Through Vietnamese Culture​" by Huu Ngoc.

Recalling the activity, Vietnamese Ambassador to Malaysia Dinh Ngoc Linh said Anwar Ibrahim, when taking the office, praised Vietnam’s groundbreaking development, economic dynamism, and admiration towards President Ho Chi Minh.

For Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, or Uncle Ho, is a symbol of national unity and Anwar Ibrahim said he wants to unite the Malaysian nation for development.

Identifying Vietnam

The activities of wandering streets and experiencing Vietnamese culture were on the sidelines of the state leaders’ working visits to Vietnam. However, they conveyed a message about a peaceful, hospitable and friendly Vietnam to the world.

Hoang Huu Anh, Deputy Director of the Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told VietNamNet that high-level cultural diplomacy has brought great effects.

“The images of Vietnamese Party Chief Nguyen Phu Trong and Chinese Party Chief Xi Jinping together enjoying Vietnam’s famous tea; Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong presenting the book "One person, one path and one history: Ho Chi Minh – Letters to America"; Vietnamese and Japanese Prime Ministers learning calligraphy art; Vietnamese National Assembly Chair Vuong Dinh Hue presenting the Party General Secretary's book on socialism to the President of the Cuban National Assembly -- these all drew high attention not only in Vietnam, but also in other countries,” Anh said.

Tran Thuong