Banh Chung Cooking Event Held to Strengthen Vietnam-Laos Relations

Laos former students in Vietnam cleverly wrap Banh Chung. (Photo: VOV)

The event was held by Vietnam Embassy to Laos and Vietnam Cultural Center in Laos on Jan. 29 to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

Lao graduates in Vietnam and Vietnamese students in Laos joined hands to make banh chung in a joyful and touching atmosphere.

The green color of dong leaves, the yellow and white color of beans and rice, the pink of peach blossom, the New Year's couplets moved Su​dala Chanthavithong, a Lao woman who used to study in Vietnam.

Sudala said she came to Vietnam to study in 1969 and graduated from high school in 1979. When staying in Vietnam, despite difficulties, she received enthusiastic help from the Vietnamese people. Due to that, Vietnam is her second home.

Every New Year to spring, she recalls the memory of when she was able to cook banh chung with the Vietnamese people, which is a very good traditional culture of the Vietnamese people. Therefore, being able to participate in making banh chung today made her feel very emotional because it helped her relive those beautiful memories.

"We stay with the Vietnamese during their fierce war, yet we did not feel miserable. Despite hardship, we could still celebrate Tet together. Former Lao students who join the event today recall the good memories they had when studying in Vietnam. The two countries' solidarity has been strongly upheld for ages. We also want our children and grandchildren to continue to preserve and nurture the solidarity in the same way that we protect and take care of the pupils of our eyes,” said Sudala.

Su​dala Chanthavithong. (Photo: VOV)

Laos former students said their time in Vietnam has been engraved with their best memories of youth. Such memories will always be treasured by each student as proof of the Vietnam-Laos friendship.

Thongmy Duongsacda, a member of the Department of Student Affairs, Laos Ministry of Education and Sports, said the event reminded her of her stay in Vietnam from 1972 to 1976. For Thongmy, the chance to study in Vietnam was sent to her by fate.

“I had a chance to cooperate with Vietnam in education. Then I was sent to the Lao Embassy to Vietnam and could interact with many Vietnamese friends, which was the best part of my time in Vietnam. I really miss that time and I am glad to see the close bilateral relations growing, especially in education," said Thongmy Duongsacda.

The event brings Vietnamese and Laotians closer. (Photo: VOV)

Nguyen Van Do, a preparatory student at the National University of Laos, could not enjoy Tet in his homeland due to the pandemic. However, his homesickness is calmed thanks to the support of the embassy and his university.

"Thanks to the embassy's support, the National University of Laos has held many Tet activities, including banh chung cooking event, making me feel like I was in Vietnam, and easing my homesickness," Do confided.

Nguyen Phuc Sinh, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Cultural Center in Laos, said the event promoted Vietnamese culture in Laos, while recreating a space for Laotians who have studied in Vietnam since 1959 to celebrate Tet with Vietnamese people.

Such activities bring Vietnamese overseas together, contribute to preserving the nation's cultural values among overseas communities.

"The event aims to bring the traditional Tet atmosphere of Vietnam to people living far from the country, as well as introduce the country's cultural characteristics to Laos," Nguyen Phuc Sinh said.

Nguyen Phuc Sinh, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Cultural Center in Laos. (Photo: VOV)

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