With a strong desire to pursue academic dreams and ambitions for the future, many Lao students studying at the Da Nang University of Education have always made strong determination to overcome cultural and language barriers and confidently adapted themselves to the new learning environment. During the journey of conquering knowledge, Lao students always receive enthusiastic support from teachers and students of the Da Nang University of Education.

Vietnamese and Laotian students at a cultural exchange festival. Photo: VIET THANG

Mutual support in communication

Thammavong Bouakhai, 38, is currently a student majoring in Theory and Teaching Methods of Physics at the Da Nang University of Education.

Bouakhai said that, at first, coming to a "strange land" should face many obstacles in adapting herself to a completely new living and learning environment.

“My Vietnamese was still limited at that time, so I faced many difficulties in listening and pronunciation. Teachers in Laos taught the Vietnamese language in the North’s accent while those in Da Nang delivered their lectures in the central region’s accent. The difference in accents between the two Vietnamese regions unintentionally created a barrier in learning a new language for me”, said Bouakhai.

Coming to Viet Nam at the right time when Da Nang was implementing strict social distancing mandates because of COVID-19 in 2021, Thammavong Bouakhai could not hang out to exchange and chat with native speakers to improve vocabulary and communication skills.

Therefore, before the classes took place, the Lao female student was provided by the teacher with the content of the lecture and documents for reference and research first. By this way, Bouakhai could easily absorb knowledge and grasp the lesson faster and more effectively.

Also cherishing a dream of becoming a teacher to incubate knowledge for young people, Mthachak Vanida, 23, a student majoring in primary pedagogy, expressed: "At first, I did not understand Vietnamese at all, and I was shy of communicating with others”.

Fortunately, during her studies, Vanida always received enthusiastic help from Vietnamese students and teachers. Vietnamese listening and speaking skills have gradually improved. Not only that, in group discussions, Lao students received support from their Vietnamese peers in presenting ideas and opinions.

Xeo Van Hong, a member of the Dormitory Student Self-Management Team at the university, shared: “I always actively guide Lao peers about how to some basic communication sentences and introduce them to Vietnamese customs and habits so that they can better understand the culture and lifestyle of the Vietnamese people. In addition, exchange activities have been organised to create a good and solidarity bilateral relationship”.

Ahousit Vannaphone, Chairman of the Lao Students' Union at the Da Nang University of Education, said that new Lao students who come to Da Nang for studies are always supported by Vietnamese ones. Thanks to this, the Lao students have gradually become more confident in integrating into their new life in the city.

“I always encourage Lao students to take the initiative to speak Vietnamese more and encourage them to find a Vietnamese friend to chat and exchange with each other, thus help themselves improve their Vietnamese speaking skills”, said Ahousit Vannaphone.

Cultural exchanges promoted

In the spirit of friendship and emotional attachment between Viet Nam and Laos, the Da Nang University of Education always creates a playground with attractive and meaningful programmes and activities for Lao students.

In the bustling atmosphere of welcoming in the Tiger New Year 2022, the school organised an activity to make ‘banh chung’ (square glutinous rice cakes) and ‘banh tet’ (cylindrical glutinous rice cake) for both Lao and Vietnamese students to celebrate Tet away from home at the dormitory.

“The most memorable memory is that Lao-Vietnamese students participated in the traditional festival of water splashing festival held in 2021", Mr. Vannaphone shared. In particular, at the Viet Nam - Laos Cultural Exchange Festival on the occasion of the Bunpimay Lao Traditional New Year and the 60^th anniversary of the establishment of Viet Nam - Laos relations (1962 - 2022) taking place in early April, Vietnamese and Lao students participated in many cultural activities, folk games and cuisine events.

In addition, the close love between Vietnamese and Lao students is also reflected through their mutual support and sharing in difficult times.

During the time of the city's social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many Laotian students who had to stay in dormitories receive support and words of greta encouragement from Vietnamese teachers and friends.

Master Huynh Bong, Deputy Head of Student Affairs Department of the Da Nang University of Education said that, at the time of social distancing, the school's leaders and the dormitory management board mobilised all resources to support Lao students and raised a total of more than VND100 million from sponsors and benefactors to give aids to Lao nationals.

In addition, during the process of Lao students studying at the university, the Da Nang Youth Union coordinated with the students’ dormitory to create conditions for them to communicate and make friends with Vietnamese peers, thereby helping them enhance their proficiency in Vietnamese.

Reporting by VIET THANG – Translating by A.THU