The Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association in Thai Nguyen province and Thai Nguyen College organized a program to celebrate the traditional Tet Bunpimay and Chol Chnam Thmay for Lao and Cambodian students. Photo: Thanh Luan

Developing the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos

The Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association in Thai Nguyen province and Thai Nguyen College organized a program to celebrate the traditional Tet Bunpimay and Chol Chnam Thmay for Lao and Cambodian students. They are researching and studying at 11 schools in Thai Nguyen province.

Hung is an active member of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association in Thai Nguyen province. He said Vietnam and Laos are two countries with a special relationship. He wants to contribute to the cooperation between the two nations.

Hung also hopes that the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association will be a bridge helping his business approach the Lao market. He wants to introduce products and culture of his homeland Thai Nguyen to Laos provinces and cities.

More than 130,000 members of the Association also want the special friendship relationship between Vietnam and Laos to develop. Over the years, members have participated in exciting, and practical activities of the Association in education, training, culture, tourism and sports.

The Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association in Thai Nguyen province has coordinated with schools to follow the learning and training of students.

Many schools carry out the program "Homestay - welcoming Laotian students home" to improve their Vietnamese language and cultural exchange. Many members of the Association sponsor international students, take care of them like family and welcome them home for activities on weekends or holidays.

In 2021, 2022, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the health and safety of international students, the program has changed. Instead of staying at homestays, international students stay at school with appropriate cultural and sports activities. Members of the Association and teachers came to the dormitory to visit and support them.

According to Nguyen Nang Dac, standing vice chairman of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association in Thai Nguyen province, their members are veterans, volunteers, and experts working and fighting from the Laos battlefield. The association also has the participation of former volunteers, civil servants, and farmers.

Nguyen Nang Dac, standing vice chairman of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association in Thai Nguyen province.

The association has mobilized districts, veterans' associations, universities and high schools in the province, including schools that do not have Laotian students. Many businesses also become members of the Association, participating in the support work.

"To become a member of the Association, there are no conditions, only the spirit of cultivating the friendship between Vietnam and Laos. The Association has many members participating enthusiastically," said Nguyen Nang Dac.

He said that the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association in Thai Nguyen province always has a development program. The Association will continue to expand to high schools, and professional schools, and cooperate with businesses to facilitate connections and activities in Laos.

Photo: Thanh Luan

2022 is a special year, celebrating the Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022, the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic relations, the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation.

Therefore, the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association in Thai Nguyen province has many activities, such as organizing Tet Bunpimay for Lao students; the Vietnam-Laos singing festival; meetings to celebrate the year of Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship.

"Every year, the Association always has more than 10 events. The Association's leaders also work with locals to make the Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year more meaningful," said the Standing Vice Chairman of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association in Thai Nguyen province.

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