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Korean, Vietnamese first ladies visit ethnology museum in Hanoi

Published: 23 Apr. 2026, 19:08 Updated: 23 Apr. 2026, 19:27

SARAH KIM
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Korean first lady Kim Hea Kyung, left, and Vietnamese first lady Ngo Phuong Ly hold up wood dolls as they visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi on April 23. Kim is wearing an ao dai, or a traditional Vietnamese dress, gifted by the Vietnamese first lady. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

HANOI — Korea's first lady Kim Hea Kyung and her Vietnamese counterpart, Ngo Phuong Ly, visited an ethnology museum in Hanoi on Thursday as part of efforts to promote cultural exchange.

The two first ladies toured the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology as an event to encourage friendly ties between the two countries. They also had several encounters the previous day during the welcome ceremony and state banquet as President Lee Jae Myung and Vietnamese President To Lam held their bilateral summit.

During Thursday's encounter, Kim wore a pale pink ao dai, the traditional Vietnamese dress, gifted to her by the Vietnamese presidential couple. Ly also wore a hanbok, or traditional Korean attire, during her state visit to Korea last August with her husband.

Guided by the museum director, the two first ladies viewed artifacts, models, photographs and videos depicting the traditional cultures and lifestyles of the 54 ethnic groups that make up Vietnam.

After listening to the museum director explain traditional Vietnamese looms, quilts and pillows, Kim expressed her admiration and noted that Korea has similar items.

While viewing an exhibition on weaving culture and looms, Kim noted, "It is very similar to the way hemp is woven in Andong, North Gyeongsang," referring to her husband's hometown.

In the Korean room, Kim pointed out a gat, or traditional Korean hat, and said, "This is what the Saja Boys wore in 'KPop Demon Hunters' [2025]," referring to the antagonist boy band from the award-winning Netflix animated movie.

Korean first lady Kim Hea Kyung, left, and Vietnamese first lady Ngo Phuong Ly tour the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi on April 23. Kim is wearing an ao dai, or a traditional Vietnamese dress, gifted by the Vietnamese first lady. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

As she examined the exhibition recreating Korea's traditional and modern housing and lifestyles, Kim remarked, "I understand that this is the largest Korean room established overseas by a national folk museum," saying, "this goes beyond a simple exhibition to symbolize the deep friendship between the two countries."

Vietnam's first lady revealed that in celebration of the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries next year, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology and the National Folk Museum of Korea are preparing various collaborations.

The first ladies also viewed an outdoor water puppet performance.

Kim was gifted a Vietnamese wooden doll by a member of the theater troupe.

First Lady Kim Hea Kyung, center, holds up shot glass with actor Jung Il-woo, left, at the Korea Culture and Tourism Festival 2026 held at Lotte Mall West Lake in Hanoi on April 23. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

"The two first ladies engaged in a wide-ranging discussion on common interests, such as cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries," deputy presidential spokesperson Ahn Gwi-ryeong said in a statement.

They also greeted foreign tourists, and Kim remarked that it was her first time wearing an ao dai.

Later Thursday, Kim visited a K-Culture and tourism festival at Lotte Mall West Lake Hanoi, where booths showcased popular Korean trends, including K-beauty, K-content, K-heritage and K-dessert. Kim distributed bibimbap, or mixed rice with vegetables, prepared with event participants to promote Korean cuisine.

BY SARAH KIM [[email protected]]