On the morning of April 13, 2025, at Hall A.509, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education organized a meeting program for Lao undergraduate and graduate students studying at the school on the occasion of the traditional New Year Bunpimay 2025 - one of the important traditional festivals, marking the new year according to the culture of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.
The event had the honor of welcoming Mr. Lonphanh Phaodavanh, Consul, Consulate General of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in Ho Chi Minh City; Mr. Ho Xuan Lam, Vice President, General Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations, Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City; Mr. Huynh Thanh Nha, General Secretary of the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City, Deputy Director of the Lao Student Dormitory in Ho Chi Minh City; MSc. Nguyen Thi Minh Thu; Deputy Secretary of the Party cell, Vice Principal of the Ho Chi Minh City University Preparatory School; Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Son, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee, University President; Dr. Cao Anh Tuan, University Vice-President along with leaders from the functional departments, and Laotian students who are currently enrolled in Ho Chi Minh City University of Education. This is a special occasion for the leaders of the university to express their deep concerns to the students while contributing to the traditional friendship and outstanding solidarity between the people of Laos and Vietnam.
During the event, Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Son, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee, University President, wished a year full of health and happiness to all the Laotian students. He stressed “The Vietnam-Laos friendship is a loyal and exemplary relationship. Each Laotian student is the friendship ambassador who plays a crucial role in strengthening the bond between two countries. HCMUE is honored to welcome and train multiple generations of Laotian students. These students will be seeds of wisdom that carry the mission to develop their country and nurture the close friendship between two countries in the future. The feelings we extend to you are not simply enclosed in this event, but it is also our long-lasting commitment to deliver a humane learning environment where the wide spectrum of culture is respected, where all students, regardless of their origin, can develop, shine, and be loved. Your efforts and contributions are always valued in our culturally diverse learning environment”. In the atmosphere imbued with Laotian cultural identity, Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Son gave the congratulatory letters, wore lucky bracelets, and gave the Laotian students new year gifts.
On behalf of the Lao students, Manychan Vongonkeo - a student of the Chemistry Department - gracefully expressed: “We are happy to celebrate our traditional New Year in Vietnam, where we consider our second home. We are also honored to carry our cultural essence of our wonderful country to our Vietnamese friends at HCMUE and, in exchange, learn and immerse ourselves in the traditions of our beloved Vietnam. We would like to express our gratitude to the teachers and HCMUE for organizing a meaningful, warm, and loving event. We promise to put our best efforts into our study and training to be worthy of the love that the teachers have extended to us.
The event also encompassed performances, blessing rituals, hand-tying, Dok Champa wreath-giving, and traditional Lao Lam Vong dance, creating a bustling, friendly, and cohesive atmosphere.
In the 2024-2025 school year, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education is receiving and training a total of 21 Lao international students, including 05 Lao international students studying Vietnamese at Gia Lai Branch, 07 Lao international students studying at the university level and 09 Lao international students studying at the postgraduate level. The number of Lao international students is concentrated in the fields of Educational Management and Natural Sciences. This event is a meaningful activity, not only helping Lao international students feel the connection and sharing in the learning environment in Vietnam but also contributing to spreading the message of solidarity, friendship, and international cooperation in the student community of Ho Chi Minh City University of Education.
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