About 500 Laotian students are currently studying in Da Nang during this 2014-2015 academic year, with 135 of them at the city’s University of Education (UED).

Over recent years, many Laotian students have welcomed in the Vietnamese traditional Lunar New Year either at their halls of residence or with local families.  Some of them have enjoyed at least two Tet Festivals before.

Many of the students said that the traditional New Year festivals of the 2 countries share some similar customs such as decorating the home, visiting pagodas, wearing new clothes, and enjoying delicious traditional dishes.  

Vietnamese and Laotian students from the UED participating in a get-together

However, Vietnamese Tet features unique activities like making offerings to the ancestors, “xong dat” (first-footing), visiting the ancestors’ graves, and giving lucky money to children and the elderly.  By contrast, bathing Buddhist statues, sprinkling water to pray for peace, and tying thread around the arms are indispensible customs during the Laotian New Year, known as the Bunpimay Festival, which takes place from 13-15 April every year.

Vanida Thammanouvong, who is learning the Vietnamese language at the UED, said that she has a special love for Viet Nam’s cultural values.  During her first Vietnamese New Year experience with a local family, Vanida enjoyed a year-end party, made “banh chung” (square glutinous rice cakes) and jams, and watched a fireworks display on New Year’s Eve.  Thanks to those unforgettable memories, she has the deep impression that local residents are very kindhearted and friendly.

Amphayvan Montisan, Vanida’s coursemate, is looking forward to spending this next Tet in the city.  She said that she would decorate her room in her hall of residence with colourful Tet flowers and prepare new clothes for the festival.  She is planning to visit some tourist sites in Da Nang and Quang Nam Province during Tet including the Ba Na Hills Resort, the Linh Ung Pagoda and Hoi An City.  She will also try making tamarind and coconut jams for her roommates and Vietnamese friends.

In the first few days of the Tet Festival, many local universities and junior colleges organise cosy get-togethers for their Laotian students and present Tet gifts to them.  This helps to make them feel happy and welcome during the festival period.