On the occasion of the traditional Bunpimay New Year of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, on April 15th, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Youth Union, in coordination with universities and colleges, organized a meeting program titled "Deepening the Special Friendship between Vietnam and Laos".
The meeting program is titled "Deepening the Special Friendship between Vietnam and Laos".
Attending the meeting were: Mr. Nguyen Tuong Lam, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Youth Union, Standing Vice Chairman of the National Committee on Vietnamese Youth; Mr. Nguyen Thanh Cong, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; representatives of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation, leaders of several provincial departments and agencies, and more than 800 Lao students studying in Son La province..
The delegates attending the program.
According to statistics, from 2015 to the present, more than 3,000 Lao students have studied in Son La province at the following institutions: Northwest University, Son La College, and Son La Medical College. Evaluating the results of cooperation in training human resources for the provinces of Laos, many Lao students, after graduating, have returned to their country to work, holding important and key positions in state agencies, contributing well to the construction and development of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. These results affirm the quality of training at universities and colleges in Son La province, contributing to strengthening the special friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, as well as the solidarity and friendly cooperation between Son La province and the provinces of Laos.
Comrade Nguyen Thanh Cong, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, delivered a speech at the program.
Speaking at the event, the Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee congratulated the Lao students studying at colleges and universities on the occasion of the traditional Bunpimay New Year; wishing that the friendship between Vietnam and Laos would "remain ever green and enduring for generations to come." He also highly appreciated the work of organizing training and fostering, ensuring a suitable living and learning environment for Lao students at colleges and universities, contributing to the effective implementation of the comprehensive cooperation program between Son La province and 9 northern provinces of the Lao People's Democratic Republic on education and training high-quality human resources.
Provincial leaders presented gifts to Lao students studying in Vietnam.
The Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee presented certificates of commendation to the Lao trainees and 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.
The Central Committee of the Youth Union presented gifts to Lao students studying in Vietnam.
The Liaison Committee of Vietnamese Military Volunteers and Experts in Laos, Son La province, presented gifts to Lao students studying in Laos.
Within the framework of the meeting, an art program titled "Deepening the Special Friendship between Vietnam and Laos" was held, featuring many unique and captivating dance and singing performances. These performances helped the audience better understand the rich culture, fine traditions, and special friendship between Vietnam and Laos, as well as the achievements of this enduring, fraternal bond, and its forward-looking relationship between the two countries.
The art program "Deepening the Special Friendship between Vietnam and Laos".
Delegates participate in the ceremony at the event.
Immediately after the artistic performance, delegates and Lao students and trainees performed the wrist-tying ceremony and the water-splashing ceremony.
Perform the wrist-tying ritual.
Lao students participating in the worship ceremony.
The wrist-tying ceremony (also known as Sou Khoan) is a long-standing spiritual custom deeply rooted in the lives of the Lao people and an indispensable part of the New Year celebrations. A large flower arrangement with small threads on its petals is placed in the center of a ceremonial tray on the stage. All those present sit around it to pray for good fortune, then tie threads around each other's wrists to wish for health, luck, and success.
Water splashing ritual at the event.
The water-splashing ritual is performed with the hope of dispelling the fatigue and worries of the old year, bringing new life, growth, prosperity, and happiness to all things in the new year. According to Lao belief, the more water a person is splashed with, the more luck they will have.
Thanh Huyen-Phan Trang