Ngo Phuong Ly Experiences Japanese Tea Ceremony
The spouse of Vietnam's To Lam took part in a traditional tea ceremony at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo during an official visit to Japan.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Tea
Madame Ngo Phuong Ly, spouse of To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President, experienced a Japanese tea ceremony at the State Guest House Akasaka Palace in Tokyo on the evening of November 9. She wore a traditional kimono and offered the first bowl of tea to Akiko Santo, a former President of the House of Councillors of Japan.
Why it matters
The event highlights the cultural exchange accompanying official diplomatic visits between Vietnam and Japan. It also showcases a tea tradition preserved for 450 years since the time of tea master Sen no Rikyu.
The tea ceremony has been preserved for 450 years since the time of Sen no Rikyu, and the host's tea set was inspired by 16th-century Vietnamese ceramic traditions. The source does not specify additional details about the ceremony's format or participants beyond those named.
The players
Ngo Phuong Ly
Spouse of To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President, who took part in the tea ceremony during the official visit.
Akiko Santo
Former President of the House of Councillors of Japan and the oldest guest present, who received the first bowl of tea.
The details
Ngo Phuong Ly listened to an artisan introduce the Japanese tea ceremony while wearing a kimono. After learning its history, she enjoyed traditional sweets and tea before preparing tea herself and offering the first bowl to Akiko Santo, the oldest guest present.
Timeline
November 9, 2026: Tea ceremony experience held at Akasaka Palace, Tokyo, during an official visit to Japan.
Cultural Lineage
The ceremony traces its formal practice to tea master Sen no Rikyu and has been preserved for 450 years, making it a living link to Japan's sixteenth-century tea culture. Hosts at state events use it to present that continuity to visiting dignitaries.
Readers interested in Japanese tea ceremony can attend demonstrations or classes at cultural centers, though the extraction does not specify any public events. The tradition's emphasis on preparing and serving tea offers a practical model for hosting guests at home.
The takeaway
The tea ceremony shows how a single practice can carry centuries of tradition into modern diplomacy. Simple acts like preparing and sharing tea can build connection across cultures.
Further reading
For more on the ritual's history and preparation, explore our Tea coverage.
