Tran Quoc Pagoda: 1st stop of India Foreign Minister's visit in Vietnam

Minh Nguyen

Oct 15, 2023 / 08:09 PM

Culture is a crucial element that highlights the relationship between Vietnam and India.

Dr. S. Jaishankar, Indian External Affairs Minister, visited Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi today [October 15] soon after he arrived in the capital city for a three-day visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son.

The visit aims to strengthen the robust Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as Vietnam is “a key member of the Government of India’s Act East Policy” as described by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. The External Affairs Minister’s visit will “provide an opportunity to review progress in several areas and discuss ways to enhance bilateral cooperation,” the ministry stated.

During the visit, Dr. S. Jaishankar and Bui Thanh Son will co-chair the 18th Meeting of the Vietnam-India Joint Commission on Economic, Trade, Scientific, and Technological Cooperation.

In addition to activities in Hanoi, including talks with the Vietnamese leadership, Dr. S. Jaishankar will also visit Ho Chi Minh City, where he is anticipated to meet members of the Indian community and unveil Mahatma Gandhi’s Bust.

Tran Quoc Pagoda is the oldest pagoda in Hanoi. It is located on a small island of Hanoi’s West Lake. The pagoda has a lengthy history dating back more than 1,500 years and its distinctive Buddhist architecture and significant cultural values.

According to the Embassy of India in Hanoi, with frequent exchanges, India and Vietnam have shared civilizations and cultures for centuries. Since the first millennium CE, merchants, artists, and monks have introduced elements of Indian civilization through art, architecture, knowledge traditions, and philosophies, among other things.

Vietnam's Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (L) and Dr. S. Jaishankar, India's External Affairs Minister visited Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi on October 15. Photos: Tuan Viet/Baoquoct

Tran Quoc Pagoda is the first stop in Dr. S. Jaishankar's three-day visit to Vietnam.

A corner of the pagoda.

The pagoda dates back 1,500 years ago.

Inside the pagoda.

Monk Thich Thanh Nha introduces the pagoda.

A gift for Dr. S. Jaishankar.

Tran Quoc Pagoda has architecture and significant cultural values.

Visitors at the gate of the pagoda.

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