This afternoon at the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts, Madame Ngo Phuong Ly, wife of General Secretary To Lam, welcomed Madame Brigitte Macron, First Lady of France and wife of President Emmanuel Macron.

In the exhibition space, Madame Ngo Phuong Ly introduced Madame Brigitte Macron to various artworks that reflect the cultural identity and historical depth of Vietnam.

On a walk from the Temple of Literature to the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts, Madame Ngo Phuong Ly pointed out the ancient architecture and picturesque scenery of the capital to her French counterpart.

Among the highlights were nine Vietnamese national treasures, including the 16th-century wooden statue of the Goddess of Mercy (Guanyin), and the statue of Empress Trinh Thi Ngoc Truc.

They also viewed celebrated paintings such as “Two girls and a child” by renowned painter To Ngoc Van and “Little Thuy” by master artist Tran Van Can. Traditional lacquer works and modern paintings rich in national identity were also featured. The two ladies listened to the introduction of the Amitabha Buddha statue.

One of the standout pieces was the Guanyin statue, regarded as one of the largest and most beautifully styled wooden statues of the Bodhisattva in northern Vietnam.

Madame Brigitte Macron showed deep interest in the statue of the Thousand-eyed, Thousand-armed Guanyin, exploring it carefully and with admiration.

The two ladies also observed the statue of Empress Trinh Thi Ngoc Truc and later admired the portrait “Little Thuy” by Tran Van Can.

This iconic work of Vietnamese modern art not only stands as an exceptional portrait but also symbolizes the cultural beauty of the nation. The image is particularly striking due to the girl’s wide black eyes, which gaze directly at the viewer, drawing them into the emotional core of the piece.

Few are aware that the innocence and soulful expression of this young Vietnamese girl inspired composer Paul Zetter to create a musical piece titled “Little Thuy’s Minuet.” He gifted the composition to the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts in 2024.

Today, in the exhibition room where “Little Thuy” is displayed, a violinist performed “Little Thuy’s Minuet” by Paul Zetter. The music seemed to echo the artist's emotional resonance as he visually experienced the painting.

“Little Thuy’s Minuet” enhances the splendor of this national treasure, enriching the viewer’s perception of the portrait while capturing the essence of Vietnamese womanhood.

Madame Ngo Phuong Ly personally guided Madame Brigitte Macron through select works at the museum. The French First Lady expressed her admiration for the artworks multiple times and conveyed heartfelt thanks for Madame Ngo Phuong Ly’s gracious hospitality amid Vietnam’s culturally rich setting.

Tran Thuong - Pham Hai