(Baonghean)- Unable to join in the New Year celebrations in their homeland, nearly 400 Lao students in Nghe An still celebrated the New Year fully, warmly and unitedly with all the customs: splashing water, tying wrist strings, Lam-vong dance...

In previous years, Bunpimay was often celebrated separately at colleges and universities in the province. This year, all Lao students from these schools gathered at Vinh University to celebrate Tet together. Mr. Tran Kim Don - Vice President of the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association in Nghe An said: "Bunpimay is an opportunity for Lao students to meet and review national traditions.

The Association coordinated with Vinh University to organize a meaningful Tet for the overseas students... Lao New Year was held in Nghe An to demonstrate the spirit of Laos-Vietnam solidarity, the close relationship between Nghe An and the brotherly country of Laos. This is also an opportunity for Nghe An people who lived, fought, studied and worked in Laos to recall old memories..."

meSirone Ruervai Bounthavy(Laotian student at Vinh University) confided: “Every time Bunpimay comes, we miss our families very much. Receiving the care and joy from the members of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association, teachers, and Vietnamese students, I feel warmer...”

Lao girls in traditional costumes made beautiful flower garlands, prepared cups of scented water, smiled and put flowers around the guests' necks, sprinkled scented water and blessed the attendees. Under the skillful hands of the girls from the land of Champa flowers, traditional dishes of the Lao tribe during Tet were presented vividly and attractively. Enjoying sour meat, sticky rice cakes, banana sweet soup..., the returning Vietnamese expatriates seemed to relive the beautiful moments of their days in Xieng Khouang, Hua Phan, Luang Nam Tha, Bo Keo...

Thanh Phuc