Greek president visits Vietnam's iconic tourist destinations

By Hoang Phong    May 20, 2022 | 01:25 am PT
Greek president visits Vietnam's iconic tourist destinations
Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou (C) and her delegation visit the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, May 16, 2022. Photo by Vietnam News Agency
Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou explored popular attractions like HCMC's Opera House, Hanoi's Temple of Literature and Ha Long Bay during her four-day official visit.

On Thursday, Sakellaropoulou walked from her hotel on Dong Khoi Street in downtown HCMC to Bach Dang Wharf before moving to the Jade Emperor Pagoda in District 1.

Built between 1892 and 1900 in honor of the supreme Taoist God, The Jade Emperor or King of Heaven, or Ngoc Hoang in Vietnamese, the pagoda became more famous after former U.S. President Barack Obama visited it in 2016.

She also visited Vietnam History Museum where she showed great interest in Dong Son bronze drums and Asian religious idols like Shiva and Buddha.

She used her personal phone and took pictures of specimens herself.

During this trip, Sakellaropoulou also visited the Saigon Opera House built in 1898 by French colonialists and took photos with theater staff in traditional Vietnamese dress ao dai.

On Monday, she toured the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, the first university in Vietnam that dates back to 1070, before exploring UNESO heritage site Ha Long Bay, around two hours from Hanoi, a day later.

She wrapped up her visit to Vietnam on Thursday.

 
 
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