Vietnam – My second home

The author (far right) at a Vietnam-Laos bilateral meeting event. (TGCC Photo)

Unforgettable years

I am Laotian, born and raised in Dongpaleb village, Chanthabuly district, Vientiane capital. My father served in the military and my mother was a teacher. Laos is where I was raised and grew up, but during my studies and training, Vietnam became my second home, a place I deeply cherish. Below, I would like to share some memorable memories of Vietnam and the reasons why I consider Vietnam my second home.

With my parents' support in my education until the end of 11th grade and my successful admission to the National University of Laos, I have always been aware of the value of knowledge from my family's foundation. This encouragement motivated me to constantly strive and work hard to win a scholarship to study in Vietnam. I came to the field of diplomacy quite by chance, at the suggestion of classmates. At that time, I didn't fully understand the importance of my chosen field, but I soon felt the sacred meaning of the work I would be involved in.

My Vietnamese teachers taught me a great deal of knowledge, providing an important foundation for my later work. I studied at the Friendship Cultural Supplementary School for one year (2001-2002) and then at the Academy of International Relations for four years (2002-2006). My time studying and training in Vietnam helped me cultivate and accumulate a lot of knowledge in the field of international relations, as well as in the Vietnamese language and culture. It also allowed me to live in the peaceful and friendly atmosphere of beautiful Vietnam. From the teachers to the printing shop staff, the street vendors selling iced tea, the motorbike taxi drivers, and the other vendors... everyone was friendly and kind to the Lao people. I almost didn't feel any distance or discrimination towards myself.

From 2014 to 2016, I had the opportunity to return to Vietnam to pursue a master's degree at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam. During this time, I focused my research on the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam, and I was honored to participate in an intensive training course organized by the FOSET Center.

The lecturers in the course were experienced experts in the field of diplomacy, such as former Central Committee Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan; Director of the Diplomatic Academy Dang Dinh Quy; and Ambassadors who had recently completed their terms of service and returned to Vietnam. This knowledge helped me to better understand the great relationship, the special solidarity, and the comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam, a foundation laid by President Ho Chi Minh and President Kaysone Phomvihane and inherited by successive generations of leaders. Once again, I experienced the sincere and warm hospitality of the Vietnamese people.

My most memorable experience during my master's years was participating directly in organizing important celebrations for Lao students at the university, such as the traditional Lao New Year (Bunpimay) and Lao National Day. Lao students always received care and support from the Academy's leadership, teachers, and Vietnamese friends, who participated in cultural exchanges, provided favorable conditions, and offered congratulations on these special occasions in Laos.

During my studies, I and other Lao students had the opportunity to introduce the cultural traditions and customs of our country to our Vietnamese friends. One particularly memorable experience was meeting and sharing culinary experiences with Mr. Vu Khoan and the professors from the Diplomatic Academy at a Lao restaurant in Cau Giay, Hanoi.

In 2007, I was recruited to work at the Central Office of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. Throughout my time there, I regularly undertook tasks related to cooperation with Vietnam. Besides my professional duties, I also participated in interpreting and serving delegations at the leadership and departmental levels of the Central Office of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Stemming from this special affection, I always try my best to provide the best support to the delegations of the Central Office of the Communist Party of Vietnam. In addition, I have also had the honor to participate in interpreting many times during the meetings of the General Secretary and the Standing Secretariat of the 8th, 9th and 10th terms.

In particular, I once participated as an interpreter at a cordial dinner in 2012, when Lao leaders received Colonel Nguyen Xuan Mai, a former Vietnamese volunteer soldier in Laos. At this event, the Lao leaders affirmed that Laos and Vietnam are two brotherly countries with a special relationship, sharing the same battlefield, and expressed their deep gratitude for the immense contributions of the former Vietnamese volunteer soldiers, including Comrade Nguyen Xuan Mai. Moved by these sincere sentiments, Comrade Mai shed tears.

For me personally, those shared insights hold special significance, contributing to shaping my thinking and fostering a deeper understanding of the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.

Between 2007 and 2014, I accompanied the delegation from the Central Office of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party on several visits to Vietnam. Each time I met with the comrades from the Central Office of the Communist Party of Vietnam, I felt a sense of brotherhood, like that of family members. Both sides always exchanged views on all matters with mutual trust and without any distance.

From 2016 to 2023, after graduating with a master's degree, I returned to work at the Central Office of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, continuing to have the honor of serving as an interpreter in activities welcoming Vietnamese delegations, thereby having more opportunities to contribute to Laos-Vietnam relations.

I also participated in compiling the Year of Solidarity and Friendship in Khammouane Province , which recounts the solidarity between President Souphanouvong and President Ho Chi Minh, and the book on the tradition of cooperative relations between the Central Offices of the Lao and Vietnamese Parties . In November 2024, the yearbook was published and handed over in Laos; and in May of this year, the book on cooperative relations between the two Central Offices of the two Parties was officially published in Vietnam.

The author at the announcement and release ceremony of the activities to celebrate the Vietnam-Laos and Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year. (TGCC Photo)

Blood bond, deep affection

For me, my connection to Vietnam is like blood and flesh. At the end of 2023, when I became seriously ill and couldn't receive treatment in Laos, I decided to go to Vietnam for surgery. Thanks to the dedicated support of the comrades at the Central Office of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the medical team at Viet Duc Friendship Hospital, the surgery was successful. Throughout my treatment and recovery, I always received thoughtful and compassionate care.

My most profound impression was meeting Dr. Xuan and Dr. Luan; I felt completely reassured by the dedication and solid expertise of the medical team. In fact, from the time I was admitted to the hospital until my discharge, I experienced virtually no pain. After the successful surgery, many units of the Central Office of the Communist Party of Vietnam visited, sharing their concern upon hearing of my illness and their immense joy at the successful operation.

My memories of Vietnam are therefore intertwined with gratitude. This country and its people not only gave me knowledge, a profession, comrades, brothers, and friends, but also helped me overcome illness and regain my health so I could continue my work.

My memories are a small but concrete testament to the "special solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Laos, meticulously nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane, and President Souphanouvong, a precious asset of the two nations, and one of the decisive factors in the success of the revolutionary cause of the people of both countries."

The people and country of Vietnam are very hospitable and always show special affection for the Lao people. The Vietnamese comrades always remember President Ho Chi Minh's words: "Helping a friend is helping oneself."

Therefore, I can affirm: Vietnam is my second homeland. I will always try my best to contribute my small part to strengthen and enhance the Laos-Vietnam relationship, contribute to the development of both countries, spread practical evidence so that more and more people understand, appreciate and preserve the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam, the invaluable common asset of the two peoples.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/viet-nam-que-huong-thu-hai-cua-toi-326770-326770.html