On a sunny April afternoon, at the Friendship International Border Gate ( Lang Son ), children from both sides of the border met, carrying the excitement of childhood and the bright red of scarves. Without language barriers, without geographical distance, the clear eyes and handshakes between children from Lang Son (Vietnam) and children from Bang Tuong, Guangxi (China) opened the emotional journey of the exchange program "Border Children's Friendship Pink Scarf" taking place from April 15 to 17, 2025 in Lang Son province . The program, organized by the Provincial Youth Union, is one of the typical activities within the framework of the 9th Vietnam - China Border Defense Friendship Exchange.
On the very first afternoon of arriving in Lang Son, after a friendly handshake at the Friendship International Border Gate, the delegation of children from Bang Tuong town began their first experience at the Lang Son Provincial Museum. Here, in addition to listening to explanations and learning about the history and culture of Lang Son, students from both countries had the opportunity to experience making ceramics and painting on Vietnamese conical hats, activities that are both familiar and imbued with national identity. The clumsy hands and innocent smiles created a bustling and warm atmosphere. Some children chose to draw lotus flowers and the national flag on their hats, while others drew pandas and the Great Wall of China... These images are simple but contain profound meanings about understanding and respecting each other's cultures. The conical hats and ceramic cups, decorated and molded by the children themselves, have become souvenirs and also evidence of a budding friendship, a friendship that began with dirty hands and the bright eyes of children meeting for the first time.
After the afternoon activities ended, when the sun set, the journey of connection continued to spread in another space, at Hoang Van Thu Secondary School, the yard was lit up with lights and music. The cultural exchange night on April 16 became a highlight rich in cultural colors, where children from both countries sang, danced, and performed special performances with traditional and modern melodies. The lyrics of the song "Vietnam - China" echoed in the bamboo dance circle, bringing the hearts of new friends closer. In the flickering campfire, the students held hands and sang loudly, danced, and exchanged affectionate glances and innocent laughter. All of this created a memorable night, not only for the children but also for the teachers, parents, and delegates from both sides who witnessed it.
Bui Huy Bach, a student of class 7A8, Hoang Van Thu Secondary School, shared: “This is the second time I have participated in this activity, but the first time the program has been organized at my school. I am very happy and clearly feel the spirit of solidarity between us, friends of the same age from two countries. I hope there will be more opportunities for exchanges like this so that we can understand each other better and become closer.”
On the morning of April 17, the journey continued at Dong Dang Primary School, Cao Loc District - a school located right near the border. Here, children from both countries attended the inauguration ceremony of a multi-purpose building donated by the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense. Not only participating in performances, the children also experienced folk games together: blindfolded drumming, sack jumping, tug of war... Those seemingly simple games were where handshakes, cheers and sharing eyes appeared the most. There were no more "you are Vietnamese", "you are Chinese", only friends sharing the same playground, with loud laughter in the schoolyard on the border.
Luc Cam Xuyen, a student at Primary School No. 4, Bang Tuong town, said after finishing the entire program: “This is the first time I have been to Vietnam. I am very happy because I have participated in many interesting activities and made many new friends. Vietnamese students are very friendly and teachers are very attentive. I hope we will meet again.”
Sharing at the program, comrade Doan Thanh Cong, Deputy Secretary in charge of the Provincial Youth Union, Chairman of the Vietnam Youth Union of Lang Son province affirmed: “We hope that through programs like this, children of the two countries will form an early awareness of international friendship, the spirit of cooperation, sharing and mutual development. What they experience today will be valuable baggage for the future.”
Ms. Dam Thuy Hoan, Principal of Primary School No. 4, Bang Tuong town, head of the Chinese children's delegation, expressed her emotions: "The trip left a very deep impression on the students. From the organization, reception to the content of the activities, everything was thoughtful and friendly. I believe that these will be beautiful memories, the foundation for the children to continue to cultivate the friendship between the two nations. In the delegation, there was a student whose father was from Lang Son and whose mother was from Bang Tuong. When he returned to Lang Son, he called his family, everyone was very happy and moved."
In previous times, the program was only performed in Lang Son or Guangxi, this year, the program was held continuously in both countries; on April 15 and 16, a delegation of 20 children from Lang Son went to exchange in Pingxiang, Guangxi; on April 16 and 17, children from Pingxiang, Guangxi came to Lang Son to participate in the program. This not only helps the children bond more but also makes the program more complete.
When the Chinese children left Lang Son, the red scarves were still fluttering on their shoulders, the conical hats were held tightly in their hands as a part of their memories. Some children looked back, some held the hands of their Vietnamese friends with nostalgia, their eyes seemed to want to hold on to every precious moment. On the border land of Lang Son, there was no longer distance, only tight arms, open hearts, as a beautiful and lasting testament to the friendship between the young buds of the two neighboring countries. A friendship that began with eyes, smiles, from hands kneading clay, dancing together, singing the same song of peace.
Source: https://baolangson.vn/khan-hong-huu-nghi-nhung-vong-tay-siet-chat-noi-bien-cuong-xu-lang-5044483.html
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