On September 12th 2018, the Vietnamese Women’s Museum (VWM) was honored to welcome the First Lady of Indonesia and the First Lady of Vietnam to the Museum.

This was the quote from Mrs. Irianya Jokowidomo – Wife of the President of Indonesia after visiting the Vietnamese Women’s Museum (VWM) with the Wife of the President of Vietnam on the morning of September 12th 2018.

During the visit, Mrs. Irianya paid attention to the culture and rituals practised by different ethnic groups in Vietnam. She especially cared about the motif arts in the “Women’s Fashion” exhibition at the Museum, and shared her thoughts on the similarities between the two cultures and the beauty in their costumes. Each exhibit on Batik, weaving, Ikat dye, jewelry collection and the Yao’s headdress somehow reminded her of the people in her own country.

The First Lady of Indonesia shared her thoughts on the similarities between the two cultures of Vietnam and Indonesia

The visit gradually grew to become a close talk between the two ladies and the tour guide of VWM. Together, they recognized some amazing connections between the past and present through objects displayed at the museum such as items used by people during wartime and personal belongings of women of different ethnic groups in Vietnam. Looking at the picture titled “Human Bridge”, which had been taken after the Uprising of Tet Mau Than in 1968, the First Lady of Indonesia could not hide her emotions as she showed respect towards the roles of Vietnamese women in shaping and protecting their motherland.

After the tour, the two ladies expressed their thanks to VWM and the Women’s Union of Vietnam for such a warm welcome and memorable visit.