On the afternoon of April 19, Da Lat University cooperated with the Vietnam – Laos Friendship Association of Lam Dong province, the Department of Foreign Affairs of Lam Dong province and the HCM Communist Youth Union of Lam Dong province to solemnly celebrate the traditional Bunpimay of the Laotian people and welcoming ceremony for 22 Lao students studying at the University to their host families.
Before the official ceremony took place, Dr. Le Minh Chien – Secretary of the Party Committee, President of Dalat University had a meeting to greet Mr. Vanxay Xaysena – Deputy Consul General of Laos in Ho Chi Minh City and delegates.
The official ceremony took place at Dalat University Central Library with the participation of guests, including: Mr. Vanxay Xaysena – Deputy Consul General of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in Ho Chi Minh City with his wife, Consuls, Deputy Consuls and staff of the Consulate General of Laos in Ho Chi Minh City; Ms. Pham Thi Phuc – Member of the Standing Committee, Head of the Lam Dong Provincial Party Committee’s Mass Mobilisation Department; Ms. Tran Thi Chuc Quynh – Member of Provincial Party Committee, Secretary of Lam Dong Provincial HCM Communist Youth Union; Mr. Dao Thanh Trung – Director of Lam Dong Department of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Nguyen Ban – Chairman of Vietnam – Laos Friendship Association in Lam Dong province; Mr. Le Minh Chien – Secretary of the Party Committee, President of Dalat University; Mr. Nguyen Van Vinh – Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of Dalat University Board of Trustees and representatives of departments, agencies and organisations in the province; the Standing comrades of the Provincial HCM Communist Youth Union; the Executive Board, lecturers of Dalat University; representatives of host families; the 22 Lao students, and a large number of students studying at Dalat University.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Ban, Chairman of the Vietnam – Laos Friendship Association in Lam Dong province recalled the faithful relationship between the two countries of Vietnam – Laos, and affirmed that, by finding host families for Lao students, Lam Dong Province expressed determination to cultivate friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and peoples of Vietnam and Laos. This spirit was further confirmed through the congratulatory speech of Mr. Dao Thanh Trung, Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Lam Dong province.
On behalf of the Consulate General of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Vanxay Xaysena – Deputy Consul General thanked for the sincere help of Lam Dong province in general and Dalat University in particular for Lao students while studying in Vietnam, and hope that the leaders of the Province and the University will continue to create favorable conditions for Lao students to study well and succeed. On this occasion, the Consulate General of Laos in Ho Chi Minh City presented Dalat University with a Lao national flag signed by the representative of the Consulate General of Laos in Ho Chi Minh City, Dalat University, Vietnam – Laos Friendship Association in Lam Dong province and 22 Lao students studying at the University.
In particular, the representative of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Lam Dong province announced the decision of 21 families in Lam Dong province to host 22 Lao students. Student Manotham Saiyasack – the representative of Lao students studying at the University – expressed his emotion and joy because despite celebrating Bunpimay away from home, they still had the help of leaders of the agencies and units of Lam Dong province and teachers of Dalat University. For Manotham Saiyasack and fellow Lao students, Vietnam is their second home and Dalat University is their second family. On behalf of the families that host Lao students, Mr. Duong Anh Ngu shared that he will try to create all conditions for Lao students to have cultural exchanges and have memorable experiences about life and study in Vietnam.
The custom of tying strings around the wrist (Baci ceremony) is a unique cultural feature, showing hospitality to friends of the Lao people. Tying the wrist with wishes of peace and good luck is a tradition that each Laotian gives to those around and international friends to convey the message of friendship. This is a very old custom, bearing the cultural and spiritual beauty of the people of the land of Million Elephants. Therefore, on this occasion, Lao students respectfully conducted the ceremony of tying the wrists for delegates and host families attending the ceremony.
At the end of the ceremony, 22 Lao students received gifts filled with care and love on the occasion of Bunpimay and rewarded for achievements in youth movement activities of the HCM Communist Youth Union of Dalat University.
The ceremony to celebrate the traditional Bunpimay of the Lao people and welcome 22 Lao students to their host families expressed the desire to promote solidarity and tighten the friendship between the people of Vietnam and Laos in general and between the people of Lam Dong province and the people of Champasak and Bolykhamxay provinces in particular; at the same time, this event created conditions for Lao students studying at Dalat University to celebrate the traditional holiday of the Lao people – Bunpimay in a warm and loving atmosphere; thus helping Lao students have more opportunities to learn about Vietnamese culture and people.
Department of Journalism and Communication
Translator: Nguyen Hoang Nam Phuong
