Traditional Lao - Cambodian New Year festivals foster ties among students

Across Dong Nai province, there are currently more than 70 Lao and Cambodian students studying at universities and colleges. While studying in Dong Nai, in addition to being provided with favorable conditions for their studies, these international students receive care for their spiritual well-being from authorities at all levels and sectors.

A Cambodian student is guided by a Vietnamese student in the bamboo dance at the Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia Friendship Cultural Festival. Photo: Nga Son

Every year, on the occasion of the traditional New Year festivals, called Bunpimay in Laos and Chol Chnam Thmay in Cambodia, the Provincial People's Committee directs the organization of gatherings and the Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia Friendship Cultural Festival, creating opportunities for international students to celebrate their traditional New Year festivals and alleviate their homesickness.

Helping international students alleviate homesickness

Annually, the traditional Bunpimay and Chol Chnam Thmay New Year festivals take place in mid-April (Gregorian calendar), serving as an occasion for families to reunite and gather after a year of work and study. However, this period coincides with the peak study period for Lao and Cambodian students in Dong Nai. Consequently, most of these students are unable to return home to celebrate the New Year with their loved ones.

After a year of studying Vietnamese at Dong Nai University, student Vongkhamxao (a Lao student) chose to study at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Dong Nai Medical College (Long Binh ward). Vongkhamxao has spent four years without celebrating the New Year with her family. She shared that for four years she has not been able to return home to celebrate the traditional New Year holiday, she strongly feels a sense of sadness from missing her family. She misses the bustling atmosphere of the New Year, the reunion meals, the traditional rituals, etc.

Understanding the thoughts and feelings of Lao and Cambodian students, the leadership of Dong Nai province organizes traditional New Year gatherings for them every year before the festivals. At this year's gathering, in addition to enjoying cultural performances by Vietnamese, Lao, and Cambodian students, the international students received New Year greetings and gifts from provincial leaders as a gesture of best wishes for the new year. In particular, the students were given the opportunity to perform the wrist-tying ceremony - an important traditional ritual during the Lao and Cambodian New Year festivals that symbolizes love and human connection.

Thouk Puthserey (a Cambodian student), a third-year student at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Lac Hong University (Tran Bien ward), said since he began studying in Dong Nai province, he, like many other Lao and Cambodian students, has received strong support and care from provincial leaders, departments, agencies, schools, teachers, and Vietnamese students. Notably, every year, Dong Nai province creates opportunities for international students to celebrate their traditional New Year right here in Dong Nai, which partially alleviates their homesickness.

"More importantly, these activities help us deeply feel the affection and care that provincial leaders, teachers, and Vietnamese students have for us. With our abilities, we will strive to study and train so that we can contribute to our homeland in the future, becoming a bridge to strengthen the friendship between Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia increasingly strong and developed," said Thouk Puthserey.

According to Nguyen Thi Hoang, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Committee, Dong Nai hopes and believes that Lao and Cambodian students will be positive factors contributing to further tightening the solidarity and friendship among the three nations and moving towards building an ASEAN community o peace, cooperation and development.

Connecting Vietnamese, Lao, and Cambodian students

Alongside the New Year greeting ceremony and important traditional rituals, the Provincial Youth Union and the Provincial Students' Association were assigned to organize the Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia Friendship Cultural Festival to enhance the festive atmosphere of the New Year and strengthen the bonds among Vietnamese, Lao, and Cambodian students.

The festival featured many vibrant activities, attracting a large number of Vietnamese, Lao, and Cambodian students. Notably, the highlights of this event include the culinary space, showcasing characteristic dishes from Vietnam and Laos. The Lao green papaya salad, made by Lao students, always attracts great attention from Vietnamese students. This is a characteristic and popular dish in Lao cuisine, commonly found in almost every family meal as well as during holidays and New Year celebrations.

Nguyen Dang Khanh Linh, a first-year student at the Faculty of Oriental Studies, Lac Hong University, said that this was the first time she has participated in an activity for Vietnamese, Lao, and Cambodian students. Therefore, the costumes, the dances of the Lao and Cambodian students, and the dishes prepared by the Lao students all captured her attention. What impressed Linh about the papaya salad was not only its sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavor but also the rustic, unpretentious way it is prepared. Using simple ingredients like shredded papaya, chili, garlic, fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar, all pounded in a mortar, it creates a dish that brings people together during reunions and festivals.

Alongside the culinary activities were folk games such as tossing balls into baskets, stacking screws, assembling a map of Vietnam, O an quan (Mandarin Square Capturing), tic-tac-toe, and bamboo dancing. Having been in Vietnam for only four months, Lyratanak, a Cambodian student studying at the People's Security College I (in Tam Phuoc ward), was fortunate to participate in the traditional Lao and Cambodian New Year gathering. Lyratanak shared that compared to the New Year back home, celebrating it in Dong Nai province may not have as many activities or rituals, but he feels very happy and warm due to the affection, care, and hospitality of the provincial leaders, teachers, and Vietnamese friends. Personally, he added that, upon returning home, he will spread this to his relatives and friends so they can better understand the country and people of Vietnam in general and Dong Nai in particular, contributing to further tightening the traditional bonds among the three nations of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

By Nga Son – Translated by Minh Hong, Thu Ha