Our morning began getting on a bus to take us to the first school. These were some of our new friends from the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) who accompanied us for the day.
We were delighted to see Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoang Van (centre), Vice-President of VUFO, who we had met in 2012. Ms. Vu Thi Hai (left) is the Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations (HAUFO) and Ms. Ly Thi Luong is the principal of Ngo Si Lien Secondary School.
The students were quite excited and were waving blue flags with a white peace dove on them.
Mr. Nguyen Huu Do, Director of Hanoi Department of Education and Training, greeted the team.
The program was presented by two students and included many wonderful performances.
This girl performed a remarkable version of "Roar" a pop song made famous by Katy Perry. To be honest, we thought this talented young lady's version was actually better than the original!
Mr. Do shared his feelings on peace and how in 1999 UNESCO awarded Hanoi as a city for peace in 1999. This award recognizes, celebrates and honors the strengthening social cohesion, improving living conditions in sensitive neighbourhoods and developing a true urban conviviability.
Salil, Executive Director of the Peace Run, gave an opening remark, followed by Harashita reading the founder Sri Chinmoy's message for Viet Nam. The full message was read out and translated into Vietnamese, and the audience appreciated it very much. The last sentence of the message reads: "Viet Nam, we love you and adore you because you are a true believer, lover and promotor of world peace." (1993)
We were proud to light the torch with our distinguished guests.
Mr. Do and Salil then lit the cauldron signifying the start of Peace Run Vietnam.
Ms. Van, VUFO Vice President and Salil then began the Run through the city streets of Hanoi.
We must offer our thanks to the Hanoi Police for their help in escorting us as we could never run on these streets without them.
About 20 students from Ngo Si Lien Secondary School as well as some representatives from VUFO accompanied us to the second school.
We arrived at our destination: Tran Phu High School, where they had created this beautiful welcome-banner.
Many of the students were wearing their traditional dress Ao dai as they welcomed us.
This school was named in honor of the Vietnam Communist Party's first general secretary, Mr. Tran Phu.
The torch was handed over to some of the sports students who then did a lap of the school.
The students performed a traditional dance to welcome us.
We passed the torch so every one had a chance to hold it.
The students who were serving as Master of Ceremonies also turned out to be excellent singers performing a number of songs during the program.
We then had an opportunity to talk about the Peace Run and the ideals behind it.
We played our country guessing game which is always lots of fun.
And then we taught the World Harmony Run song.
Even the teachers got in on the act, enthusiastically joining in the actions to the World Harmony Run song.
A moment of silence is always refreshing.
We presented Principal Pham Duc Doanh with a certificate of appreciation in gratitude for a wonderful and enriching program.
Ms. Van and Ms. Hai
We invited some of the students to sign the map that have travelled to the 13 nations of the Asia-Pacific Peace Run.
Ms. Van graciously offered the closing remarks.
Vice-Principal Tran Hoa Lu helped tremendously to ensure the program went smoothly.
In the evening we were again welcomed by VUFO over delicious Vietnamese cuisine.
Here are some images from the city of Hanoi... This is Temple of Literature, which was also Vietnam's first university.
New university graduates!
