Wrapping ‘banh chung’ (square glutinous rice cakes), making jam, arranging five-fruit trays, and decorating peach and apricot trees are meaningful experiences for Lao students when celebrating Tet in Viet Nam. Despite their difference in cultures, the traditional Tet holiday helps these students reduce their nostalgia for their homeland.

Lao students studying at the University of Education, the University of Da Nang, the 'banh chung' wrapping programme to celebrate Tet. Photo: T.V

Bridge of love

Every weekend morning, Mrs. Vu Thi Xuan Huong, a member of the Women's Union organisation in Hoa Khanh Nam Ward, Lien Chieu District, goes to the wet market early to buy favourite dishes for her two Lao daughters.

Mrs. Huong said that she always had a special love for Laos because she had an unforgettable memory of being helped by a Lao friend while traveling. According to her opinion, Lao people are gentle and friendly, so she is always willing to adopt Lao students.

Up to now, her two adopted Lao daughters completed their studies in Da Nang and returned to work in their country. However, they often contact and visit her, helping her feel like another family in a faraway country.

“When I become a godmother, I know that there will be many problems, for example I will be busier. However, I think I have nothing to lose, but on the contrary, my adopted children bring me countless joys. My family and I are happy to accompany with the Lao children, as well as share stories about the culture, food or rituals of the two countries" Mrs. Huong said.

Khambounheuang, the second year student of the University of Science and Technology, the University of Da Nang, remarked that she was lucky to meet Mrs. Huong who always cared for, and helped her gradually get used to a new life.

“The Tet holiday in Viet Nam left a great impression on me. I am touched by everyone's love for me. These feelings will probably follow me for the rest of my life. Viet Nam is my second homeland. Surely after returning home, I will miss Viet Nam a lot” Khambounheuang added.

Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thanh, Chairwoman of the Lien Chieu District chapter of the Da Nang Women's Union, said that the 'Second mother' exchange programme between Da Nang women and Lao students has been implemented since 2011 until now with the aim of giving assistance and taking care of Lao students studying in the locality.

The programme connects Laotian students with Vietnamese families, becoming a bridge to spread positive messages and promote Vietnamese culture to Laos. It provides the good opportunity for Lao students to improve Vietnamese language, as well as learn about customs, habits and typical culture of Da Nang and Viet Nam as a whole.

Eat Vietnamese Tet, missing Laotian Tet 

Having celebrated Tet in Viet Nam for the second time, Aon Chaisakon, the second year student of the University of Foreign Language Studies, the University of Da Nang, still feels excited as the first time.

She remarked the Vietnamese Tet and the Bunpimay, the traditional New Year Festival of Laos, share many similarities as these are the occasion for family reunions.

During the Bunpimay, people splash water on each other to pray for a happy and peaceful new year and tie a thread to their wrists to wish for good luck in the new year.

Meanwhile, in Viet Nam, on Lunar New Year's Days, people often visit and send Tet’s greetings to relatives and friends, and go to graves and pagodas.

The thing impressed Aon Chaisakon the most is to wrap ‘banh chung’ (square glutinous rice cakes) in preparation for Tet specialties.

“I like Lunar New Year's Eve most because this is a time to welcome the moment of transferring the lunar old year to the lunar new year. On the New Year’s Eve, the whole family get together for the reunion dinner and talk about wishes for the lunar new year. Celebrating Tet in Viet Nam makes me miss the memories of having a traditional Tet in my hometown. However, during my stay in Viet Nam, I want to experience other feelings to enrich my living skills” said Aon Chaisakon.

Unlike Aon Chaisakon, Chamsamone, the fresh year student of the University of Economics, the University of Da Nang, has decided to celebrate Tet in Viet Nam. She considers Viet Nam as her second homeland.

“This is my first year of studying in Viet Nam, I am quite looking forward to the atmosphere of celebrating Vietnamese Lunar New Year, providing the good opportunity for me to understand more deeply about the customs and traditions of Vietnamese people" Chamsamone confined.

According to Mr. Nguyen Vinh San, Head of the Student Affairs Department at the University of Education, the University of Da Nang, the university has a total of 162 Lao students.

To help Lao students as well as other Vietnamese students stay at school to celebrate Tet. Over the years, the university has held Tet get-togethers and presented Tet gifts. Also, a number of activities to celebrate Tet have been organised, including wrapping ‘banh chung’, and giving Tet wishes and lucky money. This has helped them enjoy a warm Tet like being at home, understand more about Vietnamese culture and people, promote the country's image to Lao students, and strengthen international cooperation and exchanges between Viet Nam and Laos.

Reporting by HUYNH TUONG VY - Translating by M.DUNG