President Luong Cuong and the King of Cambodia enjoy tea at the Temple of Literature

On the morning of November 29, within the framework of the State visit of Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni to Vietnam, President Luong Cuong and the King visited the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam.

In the ancient space of the relic site, the President and the King enjoyed ancient San Tuyet black tea with West Lake lotus leaves, served with traditional Vietnamese cakes such as banh cha, coconut cake and coconut candy. Introducing the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam complex to the King, the President said that this is the symbol of the thousand-year-old capital of Hanoi, the first university of Vietnam, where 82 doctoral steles have been recognized by UNESCO as a global documentary heritage. This place also welcomed the Supreme King Norodom Sihanouk and the Queen Mother during their State visit to Vietnam in December 1995.

President Luong Cuong and King Norodom Sihamoni visit the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam

President Luong Cuong and King Norodom Sihamoni were introduced by tea master Dao Duc Hieu to the Four Great Teas of Suoi Giang ancient snow-covered mountains, the quintessential tea products harvested and processed from hundreds of years old tea trees on the top of Suoi Giang in Yen Bai. While drinking tea with the King, the President expressed his delight at seeing that the relationship between the two countries has continued to develop steadily over the past time; the trust and closeness between the leaders and people of the two countries have been increasingly consolidated and strengthened. The President believes that in his noble position, the King will continue to foster that good relationship, and at the same time pay attention to supporting the dissemination and education of the people, especially the young generation, to deeply understand the closeness, solidarity and mutual sacrifice between the two countries and peoples, and continue to promote the friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia.

Artisan Dao Duc Hieu introduces tea products to the President and King of Cambodia.

The President discussed with the King the style and art of Vietnamese tea drinking in many diverse forms.

Sharing with VietNamNet reporter, tea artisan Dao Duc Hieu said that the tea products in today's tea party were picked from hundreds of years old tea trees. The artisan introduced the Vietnamese tea culture of "first water, second tea, third brewing, fourth teapot, fifth brotherhood". "To prepare for the intimate meeting between the two leaders, we spent time coming up with ideas, decorations, and programs towards pure Vietnamese. The President and the King expressed their emotions. We served tea 6 times for the two leaders to chat and enjoy. The tea drinking session lasted longer than expected", artisan Dao Duc Hieu said. Drinking tea has become a daily habit of Vietnamese people in particular and East Asians in general. Inviting guests to tea has become an indispensable traditional cultural feature from the past to the present, showing respect, hospitality and also an opportunity to exchange with each other.

President and King at the Temple of Literature

Also this morning, the King of Cambodia and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son visited Quan Su Pagoda. The sound of drums and bells in the pagoda resounded as the King of Cambodia passed through the three-door gate. In the quiet atmosphere, the King of Cambodia entered the main hall to worship Buddha. Vice Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, later received King Norodom Sihamoni. Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon expressed his honor and joy to welcome the King of Cambodia to visit Quan Su Pagoda, the headquarters of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. The Vice Patriarch recalled the history of relations between the two countries in general, and between Buddhist sects in Vietnam and Cambodia in particular.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien, Vice President and General Secretary of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, welcomed the King of Cambodia.

On this occasion, Venerable Thich Thien Nhon respectfully invited Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni to attend the 2025 United Nations Vesak Festival scheduled to take place next year in Ho Chi Minh City. Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni expressed his joy at visiting Quan Su Pagoda and worshipping Buddha there. In Cambodia, Buddhism is the state religion and is highly regarded by Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni. During his visit to Vietnam in 2012, he visited Phat Tich Pagoda in Bac Ninh Province, worshipped Buddha and planted a commemorative tree in the pagoda's grounds.