The Vietnam-Laos friendship is a priceless asset that generations of leaders and people of the two countries have worked hard to cultivate throughout history. Promoting the precious tradition, during the learning and training process, Vietnamese students and Lao students studying at universities and colleges in Son La province have been increasingly close-knit.
Vietnam - Laos youth friendship exchange program at Son La College.
Currently, there are over 670 Laotian international students studying at the following schools: Tay Bac University; Son La College; Son La Medical College. Cultural and sports exchange activities are regularly organized not only to bring joy, but also to be an opportunity for students from both countries to understand each other better, to share and connect with each other.
To support Laotian international students to integrate better, the Vietnamese Student Association of Son La College has implemented the model of "Vietnamese - Lao friends", each Laotian international student has at least one Vietnamese student to accompany and guide them in their studies and life; guide Laotian international students to learn and sing Vietnamese songs. This is an effective and fun way to learn the language, helping Laotian students love Vietnamese more; or establish support groups, tutor Vietnamese for Laotian international students to improve their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in Vietnamese, at the same time, Laotian students can also introduce the unique culture of their country.
Ms. Nguyen Thu Trang, President of the Association, said: The model "Vietnamese - Lao friends", with the goal of enhancing cultural and sports exchanges to create a healthy playground, helping Lao students to integrate. In addition, the Association also organized a wall newspaper design contest with the theme of the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos; participated in the Bunpimay festival organized by the school... These activities help to connect and foster solidarity and friendship, at the same time, create opportunities for students of the two countries to share and understand each other.
Ms. Saymanyvong Tamee, an international student of class K23B, Faculty of Training, Son La College, shared: At first, when we came to Son La, we were not used to the new environment. The teachers and students in Son La supported us a lot, helping us get used to the life and culture here. I feel very happy to participate in the exchange with students in Son La, and have learned many songs about the brotherly love between Vietnam and Laos, helping students of the two countries to bond more closely together and strengthen solidarity.
At Tay Bac University, there are over 300 Laotian students. In addition to training, the school also promotes cultural, artistic and sports exchange activities to help students from both countries better understand each other's traditions and customs. The school has organized exchange activities, creating opportunities for students from both countries to learn about each other's cultures such as: Bunpimay Festival; Vietnam - Laos cultural exchange; Vietnam - Laos Cultural Festival... In addition, Laotian students also actively participate in volunteer and social activities with Vietnamese students; support to overcome natural disasters and floods; participate in humanitarian blood donation; sports and artistic activities...
Lo Van Vinh, a third-year student at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology, Tay Bac University, shared: Participating in common activities, we found that Lao students are very friendly and approachable, and we learned a lot from them. We are not only classmates, but also close friends, and from there, we built a strong international friendship.
Through practical activities, Vietnamese students and Lao students studying abroad in Son La have become "young ambassadors", contributing to deepening the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos in general, and between Son La province and other Lao provinces in particular.