Ninh Binh looks forward to Lao Cultural Week in Vietnam 2023

Lao Cultural Week in Vietnam 2023 officially took place from December 13-19 in Hanoi and Ninh Binh. Through Lao Cultural Week in Vietnam, the people of Vietnam and Laos, especially the young generation of the two countries as well as international friends, have the opportunity to better understand the culture, beauty of the country and people of the two countries through traditional and unique art performances of singing, dancing, music of the two peoples... As a province with a close traditional relationship with many localities of Laos, in recent times, Ninh Binh has had many diplomatic activities, exchanges, cooperation, support with provinces of the neighboring country and is ready with conditions to coordinate to successfully organize this meaningful cultural event.

The Vietnam-Laos friendship is a very special, loyal and steadfast relationship. The Party Committee, government and people of Ninh Binh are always deeply aware of the special relationship between the two Parties, States and People of the two countries and are always conscious of contributing to building, preserving and deepening that good relationship. From 1954 to 1975, Ninh Binh province sent more than 3,000 cadres, soldiers, and doctors to carry out international missions in Laos. Our soldiers directly fought and participated in the renovation, repair, and transportation of food, wounded, and sick soldiers on the legendary Truong Son road, contributing to supporting the revolution in the South, Laos, and Cambodia to fight against the American invaders. In 1979, Ha Nam Ninh province officially established diplomatic relations with Udomsay province, Laos. After the province was re-established, Ninh Binh province has maintained a good friendship with Udomsay province from 1992 until now.

In recent years, along with efforts to develop the socio-economy, Ninh Binh province has always paid attention to the socio-economic development of the neighboring province through promoting support and assistance activities. In 2009-2010, Ninh Binh province supported Udomxay province with 4.9 billion VND to build the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Cultural House; in 2013, Ninh Binh province supported Udomxay province with 5 billion VND to build welfare works to serve the people; in 2021, Ninh Binh province sent a letter of inquiry and shared about the COVID-19 epidemic situation in Udomxay province, at the same time, supported the neighboring province with 500 million VND to serve the epidemic prevention and control work; in 2023, Ninh Binh province supported Udomxay province with 1 billion VND to overcome the consequences caused by storms and floods...

Udomsay and Ninh Binh have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation programs between the two provinces in the fields of education, investment cooperation, culture, sports, tourism and construction of industrial parks and clusters. In particular, the cooperation in education is prominent, each year Ninh Binh province supports the training of 10 students of Udomsay province at Hoa Lu University, Udomsay province supports the training of 2 students of Ninh Binh province at the National University of Laos...

Along with Udomsay, Ninh Binh province also promoted cooperation with other localities of Laos. High-ranking delegations from Vientiane Capital and Hua Phan Province paid courtesy visits to leaders of Ninh Binh Province. The two sides agreed to continue to strengthen exchanges, learn about and support each other in many aspects. During the working trip of the Secretary of Vientiane Capital, Ninh Binh Province supported Vientiane Capital with 2 billion VND to develop infrastructure, further strengthening the relationship between Ninh Binh and Vientiane. Each visit and working session of Lao localities with Ninh Binh Province has further promoted the bilateral relationship between Ninh Binh Province and Lao localities for the solidarity, development, attachment and loyalty of the two Parties, two States and peoples of the two countries. At the same time, enhance understanding, strengthen solidarity, unity, and enhance comprehensive cooperation in all fields between Lao localities and Ninh Binh province.

At Hoa Lu University, the unit is assigned the task of training 10 Laotian students each year to meet the human resource needs for socio-economic development of Udomsay province. From 2010 to now, the school has received and trained 111 Laotian students from course 1 to course 10. 60 students have graduated and 51 students are being trained.

Ninh Binh looks forward to Lao Cultural Week in Vietnam 2023 — Vietnamese language class for Lao students at Hoa Lu University. Photo: Minh Quang

At the Vietnamese class of Hoa Lu University, we had the opportunity to talk with Laotian students studying here. Vilailak Thaoseang, a second-year student of the Faculty of Economics, said: During the 2 years of studying in Ninh Binh, I always received the attention and support of the school as well as teachers and friends. Studying in a place rich in cultural traditions like Ninh Binh has helped me explore and learn about the history, culture, land and people here. This makes my university years here more meaningful...

According to the school leaders, in general, Lao students sent to study at Hoa Lu University always strictly follow the Party's guidelines and policies, the Vietnamese State's policies and laws, and the school's rules and regulations. During their studies, Lao students always strive to learn, have a clean, healthy, and sociable lifestyle, and quickly integrate into the new learning environment.

Along with the support and assistance for Lao students in studying, living conditions, cultural, artistic and sports activities for Lao students are also taken care of. On the occasion of the traditional Bunpimay New Year of Laos, Hoa Lu University organized a meaningful New Year celebration program for Lao students. Thereby, expressing affection and care for them, helping Lao students ease their homesickness and missing their loved ones, and at the same time, it is an opportunity to introduce the beautiful and humane traditional cultural features of their nation and homeland to teachers and friends in Ninh Binh province, Vietnam. Having the opportunity to attend and celebrate the traditional Lao New Year at Hoa Lu University, the provincial leaders all expressed their hope that Lao students, while studying as well as when returning to work, would become cultural ambassadors, ambassadors of friendship between the Lao ethnic people and Vietnam, connecting and fostering the close relationship between Vietnam and Laos, and the two provinces of Udomsay and Ninh Binh, becoming increasingly close and intimate...

Along with welcoming Lao students to study, the province also sends Ninh Binh students to study at the National University of Laos. From 2012 to 2020, the province sent 18 students to study in Laos, of which 11 have graduated and 7 are being trained in Laos. In general, students from Ninh Binh province are carefully selected to study in Laos. Most of the Vietnamese students have average or above average academic performance, have a healthy lifestyle, and no students from the province have violated the law or dropped out of school while studying at the National University of Laos.

During the Lao Cultural Week in Vietnam in 2023, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism selected Ninh Binh and Hanoi as the two localities to host the event. Ninh Binh province identified this as a great honor and responsibility to welcome the delegation of the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism to visit and perform in the province.

The highlight of the Lao Cultural Week in Vietnam 2023 is the performance of the Lao National Art Troupe at Thuy Dinh Stage, Hoa Lu Ancient Town. To prepare for this event, the Provincial People's Committee has assigned the Department of Culture and Sports as the focal agency, coordinating with agencies and units of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Provincial People's Committee Office and agencies to develop a program to welcome the delegation, prepare conditions for the venue, security, propaganda, sound, lighting, etc. to organize the performance of the Lao National Art Troupe at Thuy Dinh Stage, Hoa Lu Ancient Town.

In Hoa Lu Ancient Town, preparations for the performance of the Lao National Art Troupe on the evening of December 16 are being actively carried out. Ms. Tran Thi Diep Anh, representative of the Hoa Lu Ancient Town Management Board, said: Within the framework of the Lao Cultural Week in Vietnam, Hoa Lu Ancient Town is honored to be chosen as the venue for the art program of the Lao National Art Troupe. These days, the staff of Hoa Lu Ancient Town and Hoa Lu Hotel are making efforts to prepare the conditions for the performance stage, sound, lighting, accommodation, food and drink, ensuring security and safety for the troupe... The unit hopes that with careful preparation and a warm welcome, it will bring the best and most meaningful experiences to Lao artists when they visit and perform in Ninh Binh...

Phan Hieu

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