Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte, who is in Vietnam for a state visit through Thursday, cycled on some streets in Hanoi on Thursday afternoon to spread the message of living green.
The activity followed the successful talks between the two countries’ leaders the same day.
The two prime ministers passed through Phan Dinh Phung, Nguyen Tri Phuong, and Dien Bien Phu Streets before stopping at the headquarters of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 1 Ton That Dam Street.
The climate in Hanoi was cool with gentle wind when the two government leaders cycled under trees’ shadows.
The bicycles ridden by the two prime ministers feature the imagery of a lotus and tulips, which also form the logo to celebrate 50 years of Vietnam-The Netherlands' diplomatic ties. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre |
Dutch PM Rutte is well known for his love of bicycles. He is often seen cycling from his home to governmental buildings in The Hague in the Netherlands.
Many Dutch people also choose to go to work by bicycle. The World Economic Forum estimated in 2018 that the Netherlands had 23 million bicycles while its population was only 17 million people.
The European country has favorable conditions for cycling, such as flat terrain, a short distance between venues, and over 35,000 kilometers of roads for bicycles.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R, 2nd) and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte (L, 2nd) cycle on Phan Dinh Phung, one of the most beautiful streets in Hanoi. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre |
Dutch PM Rutte and his entourage, including Dutch diplomatic officials and representatives of 23 hi-tech enterprises, arrived in Hanoi on Wednesday evening for a two-day visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Prime Minister Chinh.
The visit is expected to tighten the two countries’ relations while they are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties this year.
This is the third time Rutte has arrived in Vietnam, proving his love of the Southeast Asian country and its people as well as his appreciation of the relations between the two nations.
The Vietnamese and Dutch delegations on Phan Dinh Phung Street in Hanoi. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre |
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (waving his hand) and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte (L) greet residents while cycling on Dien Bien Phu Street in Hanoi. Photo: Duy Linh / Tuoi Tre |
The two officials shake hands at the end of the cycling journey. The Dutch premier later cycled to a famed coffee shop on Dien Bien Phu Street in Hanoi, where he met with some Vietnamese female entrepreneurs. Photo: Duy Linh / Tuoi Tre |
Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!