A Laotian house in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.

Mr. Thon Bunheng also supported the children's exchange program between Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia in Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: B.Minh

Over the years, this place has become a "common home" for many Lao and Cambodian students who are sent to Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) to study.

The Lao student dormitory has become a warm and welcoming home, where Lao and Cambodian students find connection and camaraderie. I think everyone here will take advantage of this opportunity to learn, develop themselves, and appreciate the value of solidarity and close ties between the three countries.

Mr. LATSAMY SIMANICHAN

A place to foster friendship.

Established in 2004, the dormitory receives, manages, and cares for the material and spiritual well-being of students from both countries under the scholarship program of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee. In its first year, it welcomed 31 Lao students. From 2008, the first 5 Cambodian students moved in. After 20 years, the Lao student dormitory has housed 697 Lao and Cambodian students.

Many of you have come and returned to build up your homelands after years in this shared home. You have contributed to building bridges and further strengthening the close solidarity and special friendship between Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

There, you will have the opportunity to participate in many programs and activities to learn about the history, people, and culture of Vietnam. At the same time, you will also have the chance to introduce more about your country, its traditions, and culture to friends and people in Ho Chi Minh City through cultural exchange activities with students, young people, and residents of the city.

Having performed its duties well, the Lao student dormitory has received numerous awards from various levels, including the Third-Class Labor Medal from the President of Vietnam in 2012 and 2019.

The Lao government awarded the Friendship Medal in 2014 for contributing to fostering the Vietnam-Laos friendship and for its contributions to the development of Laos.

Thon Bunheng (Cambodia), a postgraduate student in business administration at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, said that being here helped him understand Vietnamese culture better. Many Lao and Cambodian students choose to celebrate Lunar New Year with Vietnamese people.

This allowed me to better understand traditional culture, enjoy many Vietnamese New Year dishes, somewhat alleviate feelings of homesickness, and clearly feel the bond of friendship between the three countries.

Like being in the middle of home.

For many Lao and Cambodian students, the dormitory evokes fond memories of their youth. Latsamy Simanichan, a postgraduate student at the University of Economics and Law (Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City) and head of the Lao student self-governance committee, has been living in Ho Chi Minh City for three years. He says it's like a "second home" for them.

"Through cultural and sports exchanges, as well as friendly events and activities at the dormitory, I had the opportunity to learn about the traditions, history, lifestyle, and clearly feel the openness, hospitality, and solidarity of the Vietnamese people. I was very impressed with these things and felt more connected to the country and its people," said Latsamy.

For Phoummy Bin, a Laotian student studying at Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, five years living in Ho Chi Minh City has been a very memorable experience. But perhaps the most memorable moment for her was when Ho Chi Minh City was under lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The management and administration stayed at the dormitory to provide timely support to Laotian and Cambodian students who had to quarantine on-site.

"We were given medicine, meals, and were always encouraged to take care of our health and spirits. I know things were quite scarce at that time, but the volunteers always mobilized and sought aid to provide us with essential supplies. I will always remember the city's motto at that time: 'No one is left behind'," - Phoummy Bin recalled.

Building a community

Satisfied with life in the dormitory, Thon Bunheng hopes that future generations of international students will cherish the connections and learning opportunities they have. "Try to make time to participate in social activities and contribute to the community. That will open up potential for long-term cooperation," he advised.

Meanwhile, Phoummy Bin believes that this shared home is a solid bridge demonstrating the connection and fostering the special friendship between the three countries through their youth representatives. She said that every day spent here has left beautiful and memorable memories during her time studying in Vietnam.

"More than just a place to live, the Lao student dormitory has become our 'second home,' where we bond as a community and where we'll be the first place to think of when we're in trouble," Phoummy shared.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ngoi-nha-lao-giua-long-tp-hcm-20240928214401872.htm