HCMC: Meeting with Lao and Cambodian students on the occasion of the traditional New Year of the two countries

At the program, Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong, Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, on behalf of the Ho Chi Minh City leaders, sent New Year greetings to the Consulate General of Laos and Cambodia and students studying in Ho Chi Minh City.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong further emphasized that 2025 has a special significance as the Vietnamese people celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day. In that victory, the wholehearted and sincere help of the people of Laos and Cambodia is indispensable. The solidarity between the three peoples is a priceless asset that needs to be preserved and promoted through generations.

Currently, Ho Chi Minh City has nearly 1,500 Lao and Cambodian students studying at universities, colleges and academies. In recent times, Ho Chi Minh City leaders have always paid attention to accompanying and supporting them to study and research with peace of mind, while actively contributing to the development of diplomatic relations between the three countries of Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia.

Traditional wrist tying ceremony.

Chang Sreypech, a Cambodian student studying in Ho Chi Minh City, said: "We are students studying far from our homeland and family, but we always feel warm and are welcomed with sincere affection by the City government, the people as well as Vietnamese students.

In Ho Chi Minh City, we have the opportunity to participate in many meaningful activities such as studying, cultural exchange, and sports with Vietnamese students and youth. One of the memorable experiences was the recent Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia student exchange camp in Lam Dong, where I learned and explored the culture of each country.

Bunpimay and Chol Chnam Thmey are the biggest holidays of the year in Laos and Cambodia.

Especially, on the occasion of the traditional New Year, we clearly feel the deep concern from teachers through meaningful New Year greetings. That has become a source of motivation for me to make more efforts in studying. This is also an opportunity for us to preserve our national cultural identity and introduce our homeland's traditional rituals to international friends."

Thon Bunheng, President of the Cambodian Student Association in Ho Chi Minh City, expressed his warm feelings of welcoming the New Year as if he were living in his own homeland: "Today, my friends and I are very happy to have the city leaders organize a friendly meeting. It feels so warm, like being at home. The cultural, artistic, exchange and New Year's Eve programs have brought a very close and familiar atmosphere. If we could return to our hometown on this occasion, there would be many more special activities such as going to the pagoda, participating in the water-splashing festival, bathing the Buddha, wearing traditional Cambodian costumes...".

Also attending the program, Maypaseuth Bounkham - a Laotian student, expressed her happiness when coming to the New Year's party, although far from home, but intimate and warm. "Although I am a bit sad because I cannot celebrate Tet with my family, I still feel the joy of the New Year and receive the attention and support from the leaders of Ho Chi Minh City, helping us have playgrounds and warm parties here. I feel that Ho Chi Minh City is a livable city, because this place helps me gain a lot of knowledge that I have never had before. What I learn will be valuable luggage for me to bring back to build and develop my country in the future", Maypaseuth Bounkham shared.

Bunpimay and Chol Chnam Thmey are the biggest holidays of the year for the two neighboring countries of Laos and Cambodia, bringing with them wishes for peace, luck, and a wish for a new year of development and reunion. At the meeting, traditional melodies, folk dances, and dishes rich in identity brought Lao, Cambodian and Vietnamese students closer together, creating a bridge connecting solidarity and cooperation between the people of the three countries of Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia in the cause of building, protecting and developing the country today.

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/tphcm-gap-go-sinh-vien-lao-campuchia-nhan-dip-tet-co-truyen-cua-2-nuoc-ban-20250414230620418.htm