South Korean first lady wears Vietnamese ‘ao dai,’ joins cultural visit in Hanoi

The two first ladies met at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, where they toured exhibits on Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups and viewed displays highlighting cultural links between Vietnam and South Korea.

Kim thanked Ly for the ‘ao dai,’ a gift she said she had shared on social media, describing it as a symbol of friendship between the two countries.

During the visit, the two discussed cultural similarities and the role of people-to-people exchanges in strengthening bilateral ties.

They also viewed presentations on traditional practices, including Vietnam’s Mother Goddess worship, recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, and drew parallels with Korean shamanistic rituals.

The visit wrapped up with a water puppetry show, a traditional Vietnamese art form that Kim said she had been eager to see in person. 

She added that she hopes to one day bring the unique performance to audiences in South Korea.

The meeting formed part of activities accompanying Lee’s Tuesday–Friday state visit, which has included cultural and business engagements aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries.