Danish State Visit to Vietnam, Day Two

The second day of the Danish State Visit to Vietnam began early this morning, with TRH Prince Henrik and Crown Prince Frederik attending a business forum at the Melia Hotel.

Prince Henrik awarded the HRH Prince Henrik’s Honorary Medal to Preben Hjortlund, a Danish businessman, during the event which was well attended by the Danish business delegation on the visit. During the forum, the two men visited several stands and attended various seminars on a cleaner environment in the future, business and production technology and airspace products.

HM Queen Margrethe II and HRH Crown Princess Mary meanwhile visited the Ba Trang Phomax/Anna Black Ceramics Factory. The two women participated in painting some ceramic plates and mugs, decorating them and signing their names. Queen Margrethe, being an artist, was much more at ease with painting than her daughter-in-law, even though she did find it a little challenging, eventually resigning and stating, “It isn’t great art.” She still managed to finish painting several items though, while Mary was on her first. “My goodness, this is something of a task,” the Princess exclaimed. Queen Margrethe also painted mugs for the Crown Prince and two of her grandchildren, Christian and Isabella.

From there, the duo headed to the a nearby youth theatre where they watched a performance by the Batida Children’s Theatre. Several Hanoi performers were on hand to perform, as well as ten Batida Denmark dancers. Lunch was served at the Melia Hotel for the royals and the Danish business delegation, where speeches were held by the Queen and Vietnam’s Prime Minister, Nguyen Tan Dung.

Margrethe, Frederik and Mary then attended the opening of the first ever Street Festival in Vietnam. Cultural events are traditionally held indoors, and this is the first to be held outdoors. A reception was hosted at the National History Museum for Danish residents living in Vietnam, as well as the staff and children of the Danish Embassy. All the royals were in attendance, as were various officials accompanying them on the trip.

Queen Margrethe hosted a return banquet for President Triet at the Temple of Literature, beginning at 19:30 local time. Tomorrow’s agenda includes a tour of the Kiem Lien Temple, lunch at the Koto restaurant and a rock concert in the evening. View the State Visit thread here.

Filed under Denmark
Tagged Awards, Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Margrethe II of Denmark, Prince Henrik the Prince Consort, State Visit, Vietnam.