Warm Bunpimay Festival of Laotian students in Nghe An

During the days of the eventBunpimay Festival, the atmosphere at Vinh University of Technical Education was unusually bustling. The dormitory area for Lao students resounded with the sounds of guitars, singing, and cheers. Blending with the music, Lao female students in traditional costumes made beautiful flower garlands, prepared cups of scented water, smilingly put flowers around the guests' necks, sprinkled scented water, and blessed those who came.

Lao female students in traditional costumes on Bunpimay Day. Photo: Thanh Quynh

Due to work and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, many Lao students were unable to return home to celebrate the traditional Bunpimay New Year. However, teachers, friends, departments, and organizations in Nghe An still organized a meaningful New Year for them.

In particular, the Provincial Youth Union Standing Committee, the Youth Union Secretariat of Nghe An Province, the Student Union Secretariat and Vinh University of Technical Education jointly organized the program "Vietnamese - Lao students and youth friendship exchange in Nghe An". The program attracted hundreds of students studying at universities and colleges in the province to participate.

Lao students perform traditional dances during Bunpimay festival held at Vinh University of Technology and Education. Photo: Thanh Quynh

Lao New Year (Bunpimay) takes place from April 14 to 16 every year. On New Year's Day, people splash water to pray for luck and peace for the whole year. Bunpimay Festival is meant to bring coolness and prosperity to all things, warmth, happiness and purify people's lives.

Phoneghong - a Laotian student currently studying at Vinh University of Technical Education shared: Bunpimay is an important holiday for the Lao ethnic people. During these days, Lao people are off, do not work and do not conduct any business activities. On April 14 (like the first day of the Lunar New Year in Vietnam), in the morning, families often go to the pagoda to burn incense and pray, in the afternoon they often invite monks to come to wish them well, tie a thread around their wrists and then splash water on everyone for good luck.

Conducting the Wrist Tying Ceremony at the program "Vietnam - Laos Student and Youth Friendship Exchange in Nghe An" co-organized by the Standing Committee of Nghe An Provincial Youth Union, the Secretariat of the Provincial Youth Union, the Secretariat of the Student Association and Vinh University of Technical Education. Photo: Thanh Quynh

There are more than 400 Laotian students who have studied at the school since 2014. Teachers in the Council of Vinh University of Technical Education have coordinated with departments, branches and organizations of the province to organize Tet for them at school. Although they could not return home, the students were able to participate in activities to meet and exchange Tet greetings to make a Tet away from home for Laotian students in Nghe An more cozy...

Nghe An currently has more than 750 Lao students studying at universities and colleges in the area. Photo: Thanh Quynh

Vinh University has also trained thousands of Laotian students in recent times. According to Master Nguyen Thai Dung - Deputy Secretary of the Youth Union of Vinh University, the university's international students always receive attention and help in their studies and daily life.

For the past 5 years, on Bunpimay Day, the school has always coordinated with a number of organizations and unions in the province to bring a meaningful New Year to Lao students. On the occasion of Bunpimay Day, the School Youth Union Executive Committee and representatives of Clubs, Teams, and Groups visited and wished Lao students studying and living in the school's dormitory a Happy New Year.

For the past 5 years, on Bunpimay Day, the school has always coordinated with a number of organizations and unions in the province to bring a meaningful Tet to Lao students. Photo: Thanh Quynh

This year, on the occasion of Bunpimay, the entire Vinh University also organized a program to celebrate Tet with 370 Lao students studying here. In addition to cultural exchanges, Lao students with outstanding academic achievements are also encouraged and rewarded by the school, contributing to their integration into the learning and living environment in Vietnam.

Many Lao students from difficult circumstances, who have excelled in their studies and participated in many community activities, have been encouraged, commended and rewarded by schools and mass organizations in Nghe An. Photo: Thanh Quynh

Thanh Quynh