Lao Students Commemorate Bunpimay Festival in Vietnam

On the evening of April 8, Thua Thien Hue College of Education in collaboration with Hue University hosted a festive Bunpimay traditional Tet program for nearly 340 Lao students in Hue City. The event was filled with meaningful activities that the students enjoyed greatly.

The program was carefully crafted with traditional rituals. The kickoff event was the water-splashing ceremony, with the intention of washing away the fatigue and sorrows of the past year and ushering in good luck and happiness for the coming year.

After the water splashing ceremony, there is an ancient tradition in Lao of tying wrist threads to pray for luck. In the center of the stage, a large calyx is set up, and its branches are adorned with colorful threads. All the people gathered around the calyx and prayed for good luck, then tied the thread together to express their wishes for good health, fortune, and success.

In addition to introducing Laos culture, Laos students also shared their appreciation for the support they have received from Da Nang during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through various cultural performances, they showcased the history, traditions, and costumes of the Lao ethnic groups to celebrate the New Year.

Laotian students in Thua Thien Hue perform a water-splashing ritual for good luck (Photo: Labor Newspaper).

On this special day, the Northwestern University branch of the Son La Provincial Youth Union held a variety of cultural, artistic, and sporting events to commemorate Bunpimay and celebrate the overseas students studying in the area.

The Provincial Standing Committee of Son La Province has graciously presented meaningful gifts to representatives of Lao PDR. students from three universities and colleges on the occasion of Bunpimay, providing assistance to the material and spiritual lives of Lao students living in Son La.

In addition, 10 exemplary Laotian students who vigorously participated in Youth Union activities and youth movements during the 2022-2023 school year were presented with commendable certificates of excellence by the Son La Provincial Youth Union.

On April 7th, the University of Education in Danang hosted the largest Bunpimay Tet Festival ever held in the city, organized by the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association in Da Nang and the Consulate General of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in Da Nang. This event was a grand celebration of the traditional Lao festival.

Delegates and students from Vietnam – Lao celebrate Bunpimay together and exchange culture, art, and cuisine (Photo: CAND).

At the festival, Ho Ky Minh, the Standing Vice Chairman of Da Nang City People’s Committee, emphasized that the city has been dedicated to fostering cooperation and amity with Laotian localities, particularly in the sphere of education. Since 2002, Da Nang has granted scholarships to more than 850 Lao students to pursue their studies at undergraduate and graduate levels.

Many Lao graduates from the University of Danang have become key officials in government agencies in their hometowns, providing an active and influential contribution to the maintenance and strengthening of the bond of friendship and solidarity between Da Nang and Lao localities.