Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and spouse at the ceremony presenting the new orchid species named after Party General Secretary Tô Lâm and his spouse Ngô Phương Ly during the latters' visit to Singapore on March 12. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

SINGAPORE — Singapore has named a new orchid species after Party General Secretary Tô Lâm and his spouse Ngô Phương Ly, marked with a ceremony at the Singapore Botanic Gardens on Wednesday.

The naming ceremony took place as part of their official visit to the city state, with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in attendance. This is a prestigious diplomatic tradition in the country, reserved exclusively for distinguished foreign guests.

The flower has been officially named "Papilionanda Tô Lâm Linh Ly” in honour of the Vietnamese Party chief and his spouse.

After signing on the guest book, Party General Secretary Tô Lâm and his wife attached the nameplate to the orchid and toured the garden.

Singapore Botanic Gardens, established in 1859, holds the distinction of being Singapore's first UNESCO World Heritage site. It received this recognition in July 2015. The garden houses tens of thousands of orchids, including some 1,200 natural species and more than 2,000 hybrid ones, making it the world's largest orchid showcase. — VNA/VNS

Party General Secretary Tô Lâm and his spouse Ngô Phương Ly along with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and spouse visiting the Singapore Botanic Gardens on March 12. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất