Laotian students at Vinh University celebrate traditional Bunpimay New Year

Traditional New Year Bunpimayis a very meaningful activity of the people of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Speaking at the program, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Hoa Du - Vice Chairman of the School Council, on behalf of the school's leaders, sent greetings on the traditional Lao New Year Bunpimay 2024 (2567 according to the Buddhist calendar) to all students of the Lao People's Democratic Republic studying at the school and wished them and their families a healthy and happy new year.

On this occasion, the leaders of Vinh University once again recalled the heartfelt words of Prince Souphanouvong: “Vietnam - Laos friendship: higher than mountains, longer than rivers, wider than the ocean, brighter than the full moon, more fragrant than the most fragrant flower”.

At the same time, he affirmed that over the past 60 years, the traditional relationship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam that President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane and Prince Souphanouvong have built have become increasingly sustainable and have been continued and nurtured by the people of the two countries through generations, continuously developing strongly in all fields.

At Vinh University, for many years the school has always promoted comprehensive cooperation activities, especially in education and training with the provinces of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Currently, the school has nearly 200 Lao students studying at the university and master's level.

The leaders of Vinh University continue to hope that international students will always try to overcome all difficulties, constantly strive to study and practice to become "Outstanding Global Citizens".

From there, we will contribute to building a beautiful Laos, fostering the special friendship between the two Parties, two States, people and youth of Vietnam and Laos, contributing to the prosperous development of the ASEAN Community and the world.

To celebrate the traditional New Year, on this occasion, Lao students abroad have launched a movement to study and practice, organize a Sports Tournament for overseas students, and organize cultural and artistic activities to celebrate.

This is also an opportunity for officials, employees and students of Vinh University to celebrate Bunpimay with Lao students studying at the school, to learn and share cultural activities imbued with the national identity of the Lao people.

Through these activities, the solidarity and friendship between the people of the two countries as well as the feelings between the school's staff, workers and students towards Lao students studying abroad are further strengthened.

At the ceremony, the Union of Friendship Organizations of Nghe An province, the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association of Nghe An province, the COECCO Economic Cooperation Corporation, the Traditional Liaison Committee of former volunteer soldiers and Vietnamese military experts helping the Lao revolution in Nghe An province presented flowers to congratulate the traditional Bunpimay New Year to Lao students studying abroad.

The Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association of Nghe An province, Vinh University, and the Fatherland Front Committee of Ben Thuy ward (Vinh city) also awarded certificates of merit and 19 scholarships to Lao students with good academic achievements.

Immediately after the celebration was the traditional wrist-tying ceremony and exchange activities between students of the two countries.

The Lao water festival is called Bunpimay or Kudsongkan. "Bun" means blessing, doing good to receive good. The festival usually takes place from April 13 to 16 every year. The water splashing is done with the meaning of washing away evil, illness and wishing for a good new year, good health, peace and prosperity.

In addition to the water festival, Lao people also have a unique custom of tying threads around their wrists. Tying colored threads is like sending wishes of happiness and health to the person being tied.