Nghe An youth fosters Vietnam - Laos solidarity and friendship

Attending the program were representatives of the Provincial Party Committee's Mass Mobilization Committee, the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department, the Provincial Youth Union Standing Committee, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Provincial Police, the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association, the Vietnam-Thailand Friendship Association, the Liaison Committee of Vietnamese Volunteers to Laos in Nghe An, the Standing Committee of the Youth Union of universities and colleges, and Lao students studying in Nghe An. Photo: Thanh Quynh

In Nghe An province, there are currently over 750 Lao students studying at universities and colleges. In recent times, Lao students and youths, along with Nghe An youth, have had many effective coordination activities to promote the precious sentiments that the two Parties and States of Vietnam and Laos have worked hard to cultivate.

Notable among them is the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between Nghe An Provincial Youth Union and the Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union of Xieng Khouang, Hua Phan, and Bolikhamxay provinces (provinces sharing borders with Nghe An province).

There are currently more than 750 Lao students studying and living in Nghe An province. Among them, many students have achieved high achievements in studying and community activities. Photo: Thanh Quynh

In particular, during the annual Summer Youth Volunteer Campaign, the Provincial Youth Union Standing Committee organizes international volunteer teams in Laos with many meaningful activities such as: teaching Vietnamese; visiting, giving gifts and helping families and children in difficult circumstances; repairing lighting systems for houses; providing health check-ups, consultations and free medicine; instructing people on farming and animal husbandry techniques, and building VACR economic models.

Standing representative of Nghe An Provincial Youth Union presented flower baskets to congratulate Lao students on the occasion of Bunpimay traditional New Year (Lao PDR). Photo: Thanh Quynh

Through these activities, they have left a good impression, recognized and highly appreciated by local leaders and people. In response to these sentiments, the delegations of Vietnam - Laos youth friendship exchanges organized by the Central Youth Union always choose Nghe An as their destination.

From practical experience in building youth volunteer teams and youth villages in the province, Nghe An Provincial Youth Union was assigned by the Central Youth Union to support the construction of a Vietnam - Laos border friendship youth village in Bolikhamxay province.

The organizers presented gifts to Lao students with outstanding achievements in recent times. Photo: Thanh Quynh

In addition, Nghe An Provincial Youth Union always pays attention to and directs district unions that share a border with Laos such as Ky Son, Tuong Duong, Con Cuong, Anh Son, Que Phong, Thanh Chuong to organize many meaningful activities such as establishing youth volunteer teams to keep the border peaceful, organizing exchange activities to establish twinning villages with shared borders.

On the occasion of the traditional Bunpimay New Year of the Lao people every year, the Provincial Youth Union Standing Committee coordinates with the Youth Union of universities and colleges to organize cultural and artistic exchange activities, Vietnamese speaking contests; organize visits and New Year greetings to Lao students living and studying at universities and colleges in Nghe An province.

The finger-tying ceremony, a ritual that brings good luck to everyone in the new year, was performed by Lao students and the organizers at the program. Photo: Thanh Quynh

Speaking at the program, Standing Deputy Secretary of Nghe An Provincial Youth Union Chu Duc Thai affirmed: "The Friendship Exchange Program is an opportunity for union members, youth and students of Nghe An province to meet, exchange and discuss with Lao students studying and working at universities and colleges in the province. Thereby contributing to strengthening the special solidarity and friendship between the Party, people and youth of Vietnam and Laos, affirming the role and responsibility of the youth in determining to build the special traditional friendship between Vietnam and Laos.

Nghe An Youth hopes that students from Vietnam and Laos will be ambassadors contributing to further strengthening the special friendship between the two countries, and at the same time continue to convey the close, close, and lasting affection – the invaluable asset of the two peoples.

Lao students perform a wrist-tying ceremony for delegates. Photo: Thanh Quynh