French ambassador experiences Tet customs in Hanoi ahead of Lunar New Year
This will be the third time the French Ambassador to Vietnam has spent the Tet holiday in Vietnam, though Vietnamese customs continue to impress him as if it were the first time.
THE HANOI TIMES — At the Temple of Literature in Hanoi ahead of the Tet (Lunar New Year), French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet joined traditional customs that reflect Vietnam’s reverence for learning and cultural heritage.
French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet learns the history of the Temple of Literature. Photos: Lien Ha/The Hanoi Times
Wearing a traditional ao dai, Brochet toured the site and learned about Vietnam’s imperial examination system, including the Huong and Hoi exams.
He visited reconstructed study huts once used by scholars preparing for royal examinations and praised Vietnam’s long-standing respect for education and teachers.
The ambassador took part in Tet rituals, including asking for calligraphy at the start of the year, a tradition associated with wishes for peace and good fortune.
He also viewed a calligraphy exhibition themed “Horses Return to the Streets” and offered incense at the shrine honoring scholar and educator Chu Van An.
Choosing the Temple of Literature ahead of the 2026 Lunar New Year of the Horse, Brochet said he was impressed by the site’s symbolic value and its close link to Vietnam’s historical and cultural foundations.
The French ambassador visited an exhibition themed “Horses Return to the Streets” within the Temple of Literature relic.
Reflecting on bilateral relations, he said 2025 marked an important year for Vietnam and France, highlighted by the state visit to Vietnam by French President Emmanuel Macron in May.
Brochet said he expected cooperation between the two countries to continue expanding in 2026, building on projects and frameworks established in the past year.
He described the Vietnam-France relations as grounded in strong human ties and mutual affection, shaped by a shared history.
“This human and emotional foundation is the strongest basis for the two countries to build a shared and sustainable future,” Ambassador Olivier said.
This will be the third time the French Ambassador to Vietnam has spent the Tet holiday in Vietnam, though Vietnamese customs continue to impress him as if it were the first time.
Highlights from the event in photos:
Ambassador Brochet chose the Temple of Literature as his destination as the Lunar New Year of the Horse approaches.
Ambassador Olivier posed for photos with the Khue Van Cac (the Pavilion of Constellation), a distinctive architectural landmark within the Temple of Literature and a symbol of Hanoi.
The ambassador experienced the art of calligraphy writing.
Ambassador Olivier wrote the word “An,” meaning peace, in calligraphic style.
He received the word “Peace” as a gift from a master calligrapher at the Temple of Literature.
Ambassador Olivier beat the ceremonial thunder drum at the site.
On the occasion of the Lunar New Year, Ambassador Olivier extended his wishes for good health, happiness and continued success to the people and nation of Vietnam.
