The General Secretary's wife met and listened to a concert with female ASEAN ambassadors.

On January 8, on the occasion of the New Year and preparation for the Lunar New Year, Ms. Ngo Phuong Ly, wife of General Secretary To Lam, had a warm and intimate meeting with the ASEAN Community Women's Group in Hanoi.

The ASEAN Women's Group in Hanoi (AWCH) includes female ambassadors, ambassadors' spouses, leaders and female officials of ASEAN embassies in Hanoi, spouses of leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and some female officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Moved to continue participating in the activities of the AWCH Group, Madam Ngo Phuong Ly used the form of address to the members as "beloved sisters". The Madam was delighted to meet the members of the group again, especially with the participation of many female ambassadors and ambassadors' spouses of ASEAN partner countries. The Madam shared her impressions of the meeting with the AWCH Group in October 2024 with experiences of Northern culinary culture, Ao Dai performance, betel nut offering culture and making Kim Hoang paintings...

Mrs. Ngo Phuong Ly and delegates at the meeting

On the occasion of the New Year, Madam Ngo Phuong Ly sent her best wishes to the members. "Through the sharing and activities of the group, I have seen the efforts and enthusiasm of the AWCH sisters to strengthen the friendship, solidarity and cohesion among ASEAN countries. Personally, this is the second activity I have participated in with the group. I feel the intimacy and closeness of all the sisters like in a family - a big family, the ASEAN family", the Madam shared. The Madam congratulated Laos on successfully assuming the role of ASEAN Chair in 2024 and believes that Malaysia will successfully assume this responsibility in 2025. The Madam also said that this year, Vietnam has many major celebrations, including the 30th anniversary of Vietnam joining ASEAN. Madam Ngo Phuong Ly affirmed that she is always ready, supportive and accompanying the "sisters" to create a bridge of friendship and solidarity in the region for mutual development.

Mrs. Ngo Phuong Ly spoke at the meeting.

Introducing the purple ao dai she was wearing, Madam Ngo Phuong Ly expressed that "purple is the color of loyalty", she hopes that the solidarity and friendship between ASEAN countries and partner countries will be consistent. On behalf of the wives and female ambassadors of the countries in the AWCH Group, Ms. Akiko Morioka, the wife of the Malaysian Ambassador, said that the event taking place at the beginning of the new year 2025 is an opportunity to connect and strengthen the members of the ASEAN family. She expressed her deep gratitude to Madam Ngo Phuong Ly for participating in AWCH activities over the past year as well as accompanying General Secretary To Lam on an official visit to Malaysia in November 2024. “ASEAN is not only limited to documents and policies, but also friendship and mutual respect. These are the values that have brought us closer and are the foundation for building a peaceful, stable and prosperous region. As female ambassadors and ambassadors’ spouses, we have an important mission in building relationships and promoting goodwill for cooperation,” Ms. Akiko Morioka affirmed.

Wife of the Malaysian Ambassador.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang said that 2025 is a year of special significance, the year of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the ASEAN Women's Community Group in Hanoi. Exactly a decade ago, AWCH was established on the occasion of the 48th anniversary of ASEAN's founding and the 20th anniversary of Vietnam's accession to ASEAN under the initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to celebrate the birth of the ASEAN Community. After nearly 10 years of operation, AWCH has become increasingly close-knit, expanded and had many meaningful activities. AWCH has gradually expanded and formed a network with the participation of 19 ASEAN partners and spread to the capitals of ASEAN countries... Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang shared that the meaningful and diverse engagement activities of AWCH have contributed to enhancing exchanges, understanding, promoting the diverse and unique culture of ASEAN, strengthening friendship, connecting international friends, spreading the image of the ASEAN Family and the solidarity of ASEAN women.

AWCH Group members presented Mrs. Ngo Phuong Ly with a flower basket.

In the "sweet cold" weather, Mrs. Ngo Phuong Ly and AWCH members enjoyed a special concert performed by artists from the chamber music genre and the Vietnam National Academy of Music; and admired the typical paintings of Mrs. Le Thieu Ngan (wife of former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Phu Binh). Painting and music, although different in form and language of expression, when combined, resonate miraculously, bringing about emotions filled with love and connection. The Mrs. and delegates also enjoyed traditional Vietnamese cuisine such as green rice cakes, xu xe cakes... and typical Vietnamese fruits.