Japan crown prince visits Vietnam Presidential Palace, Temple of Literature

By Giang Huy   September 21, 2023 | 05:40 am PT
Japan's Crown Prince Akishino on Thursday visited the Presidential Palace Historical Site and the Temple of Literature in Hanoi after holding a dialogue with Vietnam's vice president.
Japan crown prince visits Vietnam Presidential Palace, Temple of Literature

Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko walk in the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university, on Thursday afternoon.

Japan crown prince visits Vietnam Presidential Palace, Temple of Literature

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess listens to a guide explaining the history of the temple of its items.

The temple was built in 1070 during the reign of King Ly Thanh Tong in honor of Confucius and other scholars.

In 1484 King Le Thanh Tong ordered the installation of steels to honor people who pass top exams in the country.

Japan crown prince visits Vietnam Presidential Palace, Temple of Literature

Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko look at a miniature of the temple.

Japan crown prince visits Vietnam Presidential Palace, Temple of Literature

Earlier on Thursday, the Japanese royal couple joined Vietnamese Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan to visit the Presidential Palace Historical Site. The trip is part of the Crown Prince's official visit to Vietnam from September 20 to 25.

As pictured, the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess walk with Xuan in her red ao dai on Xoai Street, which connects the Palace with the Stilt House and a fish pond within the site.

Japan crown prince visits Vietnam Presidential Palace, Temple of Literature

Xuan, the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess feed the fish at the historical site. President Ho Chi Minh also used to feed the fish at the pond.

Japan crown prince visits Vietnam Presidential Palace, Temple of Literature

The Crown Princess writes in the guest book during a visit to the Stilt House.

Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House is a two-floor structure made of wood and tiled roofs. It was built in 1958. It spans 10.5m in length and 6.2m in width. It was the place that President Ho Chi Minh lived in for the longest, and was also where he spent the last years of his life.

Japan crown prince visits Vietnam Presidential Palace, Temple of Literature

The Crown Prince and the Crown Princess on Thursday placed a flower wreath to pay tribute at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

Japan crown prince visits Vietnam Presidential Palace, Temple of Literature

The Crown Prince then went to the Presidential Palace to participate in a reception ceremony hosted by Xuan.

At the ceremony, Xuan welcomed the Crown Prince at the red carpet. Both then walked in for a dialogue as children waved the national flags of Vietnam and Japan.

Xuan welcomes the Crown Prince at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi, September 21, 2023. Video by VnExpress/Vu Anh

Japan crown prince visits Vietnam Presidential Palace, Temple of Literature

The Crown Prince takes a photograph with Xuan before their dialogue.

This is the first official foreign visit for the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess after the Covid-19 pandemic, and also the first visit to Vietnam by members of Japan's royal family in six years. The event marks the occasion of Vietnam and Japan commemorating the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations.

Japan crown prince visits Vietnam Presidential Palace, Temple of Literature

Xuan and the Crown Prince hold a dialogue together.

The Crown Prince also visited Vietnam in 1999 and 2012.

 
 
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