HANOI – President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou, who is paying an official visit to Vietnam, had the opportunity to attend a traditional tea ceremony. Sakellaropoulou, accompanied by the country’s vice president, Vo Thi Anh Xuan, took part in the ceremonial ritual, which is characterised by the harmony and simplicity of the movements to prepare and offer the tea with great respect to visitors, in accordance with Asian culture and tradition.

Later, Sakellaropoulou was given a tour of Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO world heritage site, and afterwards she visited the old quarter of Hanoi, which is situated outside the imperial citadel Thang Long. The Greek president was informed of the traditions of the people of Vietnam.

She also visited the “Temple of Literature”, the first university of Vietnam which was founded in the 11th century and educated the students that would staff the imperial court, while the emperor himself taught Confucianism.

In the evening, Sakellaropoulou will visit Ho Chi Minh City.