A warm and friendly Vietnamese-Lao boarding school.

TPO - Under the roof of the boarding school, Lao students are overcoming language and cultural barriers day by day to grow up in the loving embrace of their Vietnamese teachers and friends.

A shared roof without borders

In the small classroom of the No. 2 Ethnic Boarding High School in Nghe An , Soununtha Vannisa – a petite girl from Vientiane, Laos – is attentively listening to her teacher's lecture. Her eyes, as she follows the blackboard, sparkle with the persistent effort of overcoming language and cultural barriers.

Recalling her first day at school, Soununtha said that everything was new and overwhelming. On her first night in the dormitory, in her unfamiliar room, she burst into tears because she missed home. "I felt scared and lonely... I missed my mother, I missed home," Soununtha reminisced.

Class K2-Lao at the No. 2 Ethnic Boarding High School in Nghe An.

But from that moment of vulnerability, I gradually felt the warm embrace of my Vietnamese teachers and friends – those who gently encouraged me, guided me through each Vietnamese phrase, or simply shared a hot meal with me and asked if I was getting used to it. From initial awkwardness and strangeness, the boarding school gradually became a place where I found peace and a sense of belonging.

Soununtha's story reflects the shared sentiment of over 90 Lao students studying at the school. They come from various regions such as Vientiane, Xiengkhouang, Bolikhamsai, Savannakhet, etc. They carry great ambitions but inevitably feel uncertain when facing the language barrier.

“When I first arrived, learning Vietnamese was very difficult. There were times when I felt discouraged. But the teachers and my Vietnamese classmates always guided me wholeheartedly. Thanks to them, I can now confidently speak and understand the lectures,” shared Soukthida Keosynuan (a student from Savannakhet, Laos).

The teacher is guiding the Lao students in completing their assignments.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong Quynh, a chemistry teacher at Nghe An No. 2 Ethnic Boarding High School, to ensure Lao students master Vietnamese – the key to pursuing the high school program – they must complete a one-year preparatory program. This preparatory program not only teaches grammar and vocabulary, but also creates a comprehensive communication environment: regular classes, evening tutoring, storytelling competitions, singing contests, and performances in Vietnamese…

“To teach the science subjects to the students, we have to prepare much more thoroughly. I speak slowly and clearly, use visual aids, and explain things repeatedly. The most important thing is to check if the students truly understand,” Ms. Quynh said. Step by step, the initial awkwardness is replaced by confidence. The Lao students not only learn better but also integrate quickly into the community. In the eyes of the teachers, that is the greatest joy.

Sow the seeds of knowledge, cultivate friendship.

Mr. Lo Thanh Binh, Vice Principal of Nghe An No. 2 Ethnic Boarding High School, shared that the school's mission has never stopped at simply "teaching literacy." For him and his colleagues, nurturing Lao students in a foreign land is also a journey of companionship, listening, being friends, and even becoming family so that the students feel this is truly their second home.

In the 2025-2026 school year, Nghe An No. 2 Ethnic Boarding High School will welcome an additional 30 Lao students from 6 neighboring provinces.

The first few days of the school year are always a special time. Teachers take turns being on duty at the dormitory to provide timely support in any situation. Seeing that the Lao students were still unfamiliar with Vietnamese food, the teachers immediately changed the menu, adding dishes with flavors from their homeland to make it easier for them to eat. A bowl of soup to their liking, a question before bedtime, or words of encouragement every night… these are the small threads that connect and soothe the homesickness in a foreign land. One night, a male Lao student suddenly developed a high fever in the middle of the night. Teacher Binh and the supervising teacher immediately took him to the emergency room. “Seeing him lying in the hospital bed, we worried as if he were our own child. Only when he regained consciousness did we feel relieved,” Teacher Binh recounted, his voice filled with emotion.

Behind that dedication lies a great responsibility: training young human resources for our neighboring country, Laos, under the strategic cooperation program between the two sides. For the school staff, this is not only a political task but also a job stemming from the heart, requiring perseverance and silent sacrifice. To help Lao students integrate more quickly, many cultural and sports exchange activities are organized throughout the school year.

Every Lunar New Year, the children eagerly learn how to wrap banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes), decorate peach blossoms, and receive lucky money envelopes. Conversely, as Bunpimay – the traditional Lao New Year – approaches, the schoolyard is filled with the lively sounds of the Lam Vong dance, the wrist-tying ritual, and the cheerful laughter of the children. "Through these activities, the children understand and appreciate each other's cultures more. Most importantly, they feel that this place truly is a home," Mr. Binh emphasized.

Education is the "root" for fostering the enduring friendship between the Vietnamese and Lao peoples.

According to Mr. Lo Thanh Binh, the training of Lao students has profound humanitarian significance and is also a long-term development strategy between Nghe An and the provinces of Laos. Education is the "root" for fostering the loyal friendship between the two nations. Every year, after graduating from high school, many Lao students continue their studies at universities and colleges in Vietnam; others return to work in state agencies.

Wherever they go, they become special "ambassadors"—carrying sincere feelings and contributing to maintaining the strong friendship between Vietnam and Laos. "We not only teach general knowledge but also want to train a generation of young Lao officials and intellectuals who understand Vietnamese culture and have a deep affection for our country," Mr. Binh said.

“In the 2025-2026 school year, the school will welcome an additional 30 Lao students from six provinces. All preparations have been meticulously planned: from facilities and dormitories to Vietnamese language teachers and extracurricular activities. We aim for a comprehensive, safe, and warm educational environment like a family. Only when students feel truly secure can they truly learn and grow,” shared Mr. Lo Thanh Binh, Vice Principal of Nghe An No. 2 Ethnic Boarding High School.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/mai-truong-noi-tru-am-tinh-viet-lao-post1807888.tpo