Lao and Cambodian students' warm traditional Tet  in Dong Nai

Unable to return home to celebrate Tet with their families, many Lao and Cambodian students studying at universities and colleges in Dong Nai province still have the opportunity to celebrate the traditional Tet in a joyful atmosphere filled with solidarity.  

Lao students introduce traditional Lao dishes to the delegates at the Bunpimay and Chol Chnam Thmay traditional Tet celebration 2025 organized by the provincial People's Committee.

For the past 12 years, during the time of the Bunpimay (Lao) and Chol Chnam Thmay (Cambodia) traditional Tet taking place in mid-April, Dong Nai province has consistently organized gatherings for Lao and Cambodian students, creating opportunities for them to celebrate Tet and lessen their homesickness.  

Lao and Cambodian students celebrate traditional Tet  

After a year studying Vietnamese at Dong Nai University, Dedluexai Volaxai chose to study at Dong Nai Medical College and continued to transfer to university in the pharmacy major at Eastern Region University of Technology. To date, Dedluexai Volaxai has spent over 6 years in Dong Nai. Those years studying in Dong Nai are also years that Dedluexai Volaxai has celebrated Tet away from home.  

Dedluexai Volaxai shared that, although he could not return home to reunite with his family during the traditional Tet holiday, with the care from Dong Nai province, he and the Lao students studying at universities and colleges in the area are facilitated every year to gather and celebrate traditional Tet. During the program, the organizers always conduct activities rich in traditional cultural identity of Laos, including important rituals such as: splashing water with the meaning of bringing coolness and prosperity to all things; tying strings around the wrist as a wish for happiness and health to the person being tied...  

To make the traditional Tet atmosphere even warmer, Lao and Cambodian students also prepare typical dishes usually appearing during the traditional Tet holiday. The Dong Nai Student Association contributes by bringing additional dishes and desserts.  

As one of the Cambodian students studying at universities and colleges in Dong Nai province, Van Khita, a student at Lac Hong University, shared that since enrolling in Dong Nai, he and the Cambodian students have always received affection, concern, and the best conditions from the provincial leaders, departments, schools, teachers, and Vietnamese student friends.  

In particular, every year, Dong Nai province creates opportunities for Lao and Cambodian students to celebrate traditional Tet right in Dong Nai. As a result, the longing for their homeland among each international student is somewhat alleviated. Besides expressing sincere gratitude, Van Khita affirmed that with his abilities, he will strive to study and train well, contributing to strengthening friendly relations so that the relationship between the three countries continues to develop.  

Strengthening solidarity and friendship  

At the Bunpimay (Lao) and Chol Chnam Thmay (Cambodia) traditional Tet celebration program held recently, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Duong Minh Dung stated that although Dong Nai is a province without a border with Laos and Cambodia, for many years, Dong Nai province has had cooperation programs with localities in Laos and Cambodia.  

Every year, Dong Nai Province is one of the localities in the country that welcomes Lao and Cambodian international students to study and live in the province. The leadership of Dong Nai Province always pays attention and creates favorable conditions both materially and spiritually for Lao and Cambodian students to study with peace of mind, gaining much knowledge and skills to serve their country later.

For the past 12 years, during the traditional Bunpimay and Chol Chnam Thmay Tet holidays, Dong Nai Province has continuously organized the Joyful Traditional Tet Meeting Program with Lao and Cambodian students studying at universities and colleges in the province. This contributes to promoting mutual understanding, thereby further strengthening the special friendship and solidarity between Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

Mr. Vo Van Trung, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union and Chairman of the Provincial Student Association, stated that in this year's Joyful Traditional Tet Program for Bunpimay and Chol Chnam Thmay, the Provincial Youth Union and the Provincial Student Association were tasked with organizing the Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia Friendship Cultural Day. The Provincial Youth Union and the Provincial Student Association have advised on organizing cultural exchange activities, artistic performances, folk games, and enjoying typical dishes from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, helping students from the three countries better understand the culture and customs of their neighboring countries.

In addition to the joyful Traditional Tet activities, throughout the year, the Provincial Youth Union and the Provincial Student Association organize many activities for students from various schools, inviting Lao and Cambodian students to participate. During Vietnam's traditional Tet holiday, every year, the Provincial Student Association organizes gift-giving for Lao and Cambodian international students; at the same time, it directs the organization of youth unions and associations at universities and colleges to hold cultural exchange activities between Vietnamese, Lao, and Cambodian students.

This is the second year that Nguyen Thai Hoang, a third-year student from the Technology Department of Dong Nai University of Technology, has participated in the Joyful Traditional Tet Meeting Program of Laos and Cambodia. Participating in cultural exchange activities not only helps him understand more about the culture and customs of Laos and Cambodia, but more importantly, he recognizes the mission of youth in preserving and promoting the traditional friendship of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

According to Hoang: “Our ancestors have worked hard to build this special friendship, and it is the responsibility of the younger generation to maintain and develop that relationship. To contribute to nurturing the good relationship among the three countries, I think the youth need to have a clear understanding of this relationship as well as the culture and customs of these nations. With the strong support of the internet, I believe that every young person can proactively seek out this information.” 

Reported by Nga Son