On the occasion of the traditional Bunpimay New Year of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, on April 15, the Provincial Youth Union Standing Committee coordinated with universities and colleges to organize the meeting program "Cultivating the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos".
Meeting program "Cultivating special friendship between Vietnam and Laos".
Attending the meeting were comrades: Nguyen Tuong Lam, Secretary of the Central Executive Committee of the Youth Union, Permanent Deputy Chairman of the National Committee on Vietnamese Youth; Nguyen Thanh Cong, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; representatives of the provincial National Assembly delegation, leaders of a number of provincial departments, branches and sectors, and more than 800 Lao students studying in Son La province..
Delegates attending the program.
According to statistics, from 2015 to present, there are more than 3,000 Lao students studying in Son La province at the following schools: Tay Bac University, Son La College, Son La Medical College. Through the evaluation of the results of cooperation in training human resources for Lao provinces, many Lao students after graduation return to work in the country, holding important and key positions in state agencies, serving well the cause of building and developing the Lao PDR. These results have affirmed the training quality of universities and colleges in Son La province, contributing to strengthening the special solidarity and friendship, comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, as well as the solidarity and friendship cooperation between Son La province and the provinces of Laos.
Comrade Nguyen Thanh Cong, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee spoke at the program.
Speaking at the program, the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee congratulated Lao students studying at colleges and universities on the occasion of the traditional Bunpimay New Year; wishing the friendly relationship between Vietnam and Laos to be "forever green, forever sustainable". He also highly appreciated the work of organizing training, fostering, ensuring living and studying environment for Lao students by colleges and universities, contributing to the effective implementation of the comprehensive cooperation program of Son La province with 9 northern provinces of Lao PDR on education and training of high-quality human resources.
Provincial leaders give gifts to Lao students.
The Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee awarded certificates of merit to Lao students.
At the event, the Provincial Youth Union, Department of Education and Training, and the Provincial Encouragement Association presented certificates of merit to 45 Lao students who achieved excellent academic results and actively participated in youth union and association activities in Son La province.
Central Youth Union gives gifts to Lao students.
The Liaison Committee of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and military experts in Laos, Son La province, presents gifts to Lao students studying abroad.
Within the framework of the meeting, the art program "Cultivating the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos" took place with many unique and attractive dance and singing performances, helping the audience better understand the culture, fine traditions, special friendship between Vietnam and Laos, as well as the achievements of brotherhood, tradition, sustainability, and the future of the two countries.
Art program "Cultivating special friendship between Vietnam and Laos".
Delegates attend the ceremony at the program.
Immediately after the art program, the delegates and Lao students performed the wrist-tying and water-splashing rituals.
Perform the wrist tying ceremony.
Laotian students participate in the worship ceremony.
The wrist-tying ceremony (also known as Sou Khoan) is a spiritual custom that has long been associated with the lives of Lao people and is indispensable during the New Year. A large flower platform with small threads on its petals is placed in the middle of the offering tray on the stage. All those present sit around to pray for good luck, then tie the thread around each other to wish for health, luck and success.
Water splashing ceremony at the program.
The water-splashing ritual is intended to dispel the fatigue and worries of the old year, bringing life, growth, prosperity and happiness to all things in the new year. According to Lao beliefs, the more water a person gets, the luckier they will be.
Thanh Huyen-Phan Trang