Lao students at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam. (Photo: PA)

Family members

It can be affirmed that education is the basic and central cooperation field of the Vietnam-Laos friendship. Over the years, the two countries have signed many agreements and projects to organize short-term and long-term exchange courses, cultural exchange programs, sponsored many scholarships to support oversea students of the two countries.

These programs aim to improve the spirit of cooperation and friendship while promoting cultural and people-to-people exchanges, especially creating human resources that are very important for construction, protection and development of Laos.

The Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV) is one of the units that train many generations of Lao students. Every year, about 100 Lao students study at the academy, pursuing bachelor, master and doctoral degrees in 3 majors of international relations, international law and international economics.

The training quality of Lao students has been increasingly improved, and Lao students have always actively participated in cultural and social works launched by the academy.

For many Lao students, Vietnam is like their second home. Having studied and lived in Vietnam, they always feel like they are in their own homeland.

When asked about their study experience in Vietnam, Lao students at the academy shared their excitement and impression about the people and country of Vietnam. They all feel lucky to be studying here.

Second-year international student Mixay Vanphachith shared, “I feel that Vietnamese people are very kind and friendly. In particular, Vietnam is very beautiful, with many attractive tourist destinations. I am very happy to study in Vietnam. I have passed half of my study program, I really feel the love of the Vietnamese people for us. Besides studying, I also spend time exploring the beautiful country of Vietnam with ideal tourist destinations”.

Vietnam gives international students a feeling of familiarity and closeness, and the people are as friendly as their fellow countrymen. That is what makes Ketsana Keobounmee feel happiest when studying in Vietnam.

“My first impression is the love Vietnamese people have for us. My classmates always help and give me a lot of love like family members. When they know that I am Lao, people around me care for me in daily life and tell me interesting stories in Vietnam, making me feel close to my hometown", Ketsana Keobounmee shared.

Ketsana Keobounmee, second-year international student in DAV. (Photo: PA)

Responsibility to develop stronger ties

Lao students at the academy in particular and in Vietnam in general cherish the Vietnam-Laos friendship and always keep in mind that they will do their best to cultivate this special and rare relationship.

According to Ketsana Keobounmee, "Vietnam-Laos friendship is very deep and I am very proud to be sent to Vietnam to study. My grandfather also loves Vietnam and used to stand side by side with the Vietnamese army and people to fight the French colonialists, so I am very happy to come to Vietnam to study with the hope that in the future I can contribute more to the relationship between the two countries, connecting the people of the two countries together”.

The student is also very excited about his studies in Vietnam and is always grateful for the policies that the Vietnamese Government has for Lao students. Each generation of Lao students who come to Vietnam to study is aware of their responsibility to develop stronger ties between the two countries.

Student Deneta Latsavong shared: “The Vietnam-Laos relationship is a particularly deep and intimate relationship. I believe that people will be the factor contributing to tightening the affection between the two countries and the deepest mark in the hearts of every international student when they finish their studies and return to serve the country”.

Lao students all have the same feeling that, not just a bilateral relationship, now, in the "common roof" of ASEAN, the two countries always support and help each other in development and support policies. The “common roof” of ASEAN has helped each person in the ASEAN community feel confident, secured and happy when setting foot anywhere in the 10 member countries.

Student Southida Tanphanith feels fortunate to be a member of the ASEAN “common roof” and always wishes the ASEAN Community to bond and develop further so that every citizen can feel proud. Southida Tanphanith hopes that Vietnam and Laos will support each other to build a strong and prosperous people-centered ASEAN Community.

Every Lao student who studied in Vietnam carries with them the thingking that will always strive to cultivate the special friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.