Ngô Phương Ly, wife of the Vietnamese Party General Secretary, and Naly Sisoulith, wife of the Lao Party General Secretary and President during their visit to Ninh Bình Province on Tuesday. — VNA/VNS Photos Đại Nghĩa

NINH BÌNH — Ngô Phương Ly, wife of the Vietnamese Party General Secretary, and Naly Sisoulith, wife of the Lao Party General Secretary and President on Tuesday engaged in a series of activities in Ninh Bình during their visit to the northern province.

The delegation visited and offered incense at the temple of Princess Nhồi Hoa in Thái Sơn Hamlet, Tây Hoa Lư Ward, a provincial-level historical and cultural relic associated with the long-standing friendship between Việt Nam and Laos.

According to historical records, during the reign of King Lê Thánh Tông in the 15th century, the Lao King sent Princess Nhồi Hoa, along with several generals and a contingent of war elephants, to Đại Việt (the name of Việt Nam at the time) to assist in training and supporting its army and people in the resistance against invaders.

The campaign ended in victory, contributing to the protection of national independence and stability. After completing her mission, Princess Nhồi Hoa fell ill and passed away while returning home in the area now known as Đền Hill in Ninh Bình. The Đại Việt court organised her burial there and built a mausoleum and temple in her honour, demonstrating deep respect and appreciation for the Việt Nam–Laos friendship.

Following the incense-offering ceremony, the delegation enjoyed an art performance presented by artists and students of the local Hoa Lư University. Sisoulith praised the spirit of study, training and solidarity of Lao students at the university, wishing them good health, academic success and continued contributions to nurturing the bilateral traditional friendship.

The delegation later visited the Bái Đính Pagoda, part of the Tràng An scenic landscape complex – a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage site.

The Vietnamese and Lao delegations visit Bái Đính Pagoda.

Within the framework of the trip, Ly presented a souvenir to the spouse of the Lao Party General Secretary and President – an embroidered scarf featuring the Champa flower, the national symbol of Laos. The scarf was crafted by artisans from Văn Lâm embroidery village in Ninh Bình based on a floral design created by Ly herself.

The delegates also attended a reception hosted by the leaders of Ninh Bình. At the event, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Đặng Xuân Phong expressed his confidence that the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Việt Nam and Laos would continue to flourish and endure for generations.

Sisoulith expressed her delight at witnessing Việt Nam’s socio-economic development in general and that of Ninh Bình in particular, and voiced her wish to return to the province in the future.

Ly shared her hope that cooperation between Ninh Bình and Lao localities would be further strengthened in the time ahead, contributing to deepening the faithful and enduring bond between the two nations. — VNA/VNS