Vietnam – My second home

The author (far right) at a Vietnam-Laos bilateral meeting event. (TGCC Photo)

Unforgettable years

I am Lao, born and raised in Dongpaleb village, Chanthabuly district, Vientiane capital. My father is in the army and my mother is a teacher. Laos is where I was raised and grew up, but during my studies and training, Vietnam has become my second homeland, deeply attached. Below, I would like to share my memorable memories of Vietnam and the reasons why I affirm that Vietnam is my second homeland.

With the support of my parents, I was able to study until grade 11 and pass the entrance exam to the National University of Laos. I was always aware of the value of knowledge from my family background. That encouragement motivated me to constantly practice and strive to win a scholarship to study abroad in Vietnam. I came to the field of diplomacy quite by chance, at the suggestion of my classmates. At that time, I did not fully understand the importance of the field I chose, but I soon felt the sacred meaning in the work I would be attached to.

Vietnamese teachers taught me a lot of knowledge, creating an important foundation to help me complete my future work tasks. I studied at the Friendship Cultural Supplementary School for one year (2001-2002) and then studied at the Academy of International Relations for four years (2002-2006). The time studying and training in Vietnam helped me cultivate and accumulate a lot of knowledge in the field of international relations as well as Vietnamese language and culture, and at the same time helped me live in the peaceful and friendly atmosphere of the beautiful country of Vietnam. From teachers to printing shop staff, iced tea vendors on the sidewalk, motorbike taxi drivers, vendors... everyone is friendly and loves Lao people. I almost do not see any distance or discrimination between me and them.

During the period 2014-2016, I had the opportunity to return to Vietnam to pursue a master's degree at the Diplomatic Academy. During this time, I focused on researching the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam, and was honored to participate in an intensive training course organized by the FOSET Center.

The teachers attending the class are experienced experts in the field of diplomacy such as former Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan; Director of the Diplomatic Academy Dang Dinh Quy and Ambassadors who have just finished their term of office and returned to Vietnam. That knowledge helps me understand more deeply about the great relationship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam that President Ho Chi Minh and President Kaysone Phomvihane built the foundation for, and has been inherited by generations of leaders of different periods. Once again, I have lived in the sincere and close affection of the Vietnamese people.

The most memorable memory for me during my master's degree was that I was directly involved in organizing important holidays for Lao students in the school such as the traditional Lao New Year Bunpimay and Lao National Day. Lao students were always cared for by the Academy leaders, teachers, and Vietnamese friends, who participated in exchanges, created favorable conditions, and congratulated them on special occasions of Laos.

During my studies, I and other Lao students had the opportunity to introduce our country’s cultural traditions and customs to Vietnamese friends. A special memory that I will always remember is the meeting and introduction of cuisine with Mr. Vu Khoan and teachers at the Diplomatic Academy at a Lao restaurant in Cau Giay, Hanoi.

In 2007, I was recruited to work at the Central Office of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. During my time working, I regularly undertook tasks related to cooperation with Vietnam. In addition to my professional work, I also participated in interpreting and serving delegations at the leadership and department levels of the Central Office of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Stemming from this special affection, I always try my best to provide the best support to the delegations of the Central Office of the Communist Party of Vietnam. In addition, I have also had the honor to participate in interpreting many times during the meetings of the General Secretary and the Standing Secretariat of the 8th, 9th and 10th terms.

In particular, I participated in interpreting during an intimate dinner in 2012, when the Lao leader received Colonel Nguyen Xuan Mai, a former Vietnamese volunteer soldier in Laos. Here, the Lao leader affirmed that Laos and Vietnam are two brotherly countries with a special relationship, sharing the same battlefield and expressed deep gratitude for the great contributions of former Vietnamese volunteer soldiers, including comrade Nguyen Xuan Mai. In front of such sincere feelings, comrade Mai was moved to tears.

For me, those shares have special meaning, contributing to shaping thinking and deeper awareness of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.

During the years 2007-2014, I accompanied the delegation of the Central Office of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party to visit and work in Vietnam many times. Every time I met with comrades at the Central Office of the Communist Party of Vietnam, I felt the affection like brothers in a family, the two sides always discussed all issues in the spirit of mutual trust and without distance.

In the period of 2016-2023, after graduating with a master's degree, I returned to work at the Central Office of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, continuing to have the honor of being an interpreter in the reception activities of the Vietnamese delegation, thereby having more opportunities to contribute to the Laos - Vietnam relationship.

I also participated in compiling the Year of Solidarity and Friendship Yearbook in Khammouane Province , recreating the solidarity between President Souphanouvong and President Ho Chi Minh, and the book on the Tradition of Cooperative Relations between the Central Offices of the Lao and Vietnamese Parties . In November 2024, the yearbook was published and handed over in Laos; in May, the book on the cooperative relations between the two Central Offices of the Parties was officially published in Vietnam.

The author at the announcement and release ceremony of the activities to celebrate the Vietnam-Laos and Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year. (TGCC Photo)

Blood bond, deep affection

For me, the attachment to Vietnam is also flesh and blood. At the end of 2023, when I became seriously ill and could not be treated in Laos, I decided to go to Vietnam for surgery. Thanks to the enthusiastic support of the comrades of the Central Office of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the medical team of Viet Duc Friendship Hospital, the surgery was successful. During the treatment and recovery process, I always received thoughtful and affectionate care.

My deepest impression was that when I met Dr. Xuan and Dr. Luan, I felt completely reassured by the dedication and solid expertise of the medical team. In fact, from the time I was admitted to the hospital until I was discharged, I felt almost no pain. After the successful surgery, many units of the Central Office of the Communist Party of Vietnam came to visit and shared that they were very worried when they heard that I was sick and were extremely happy when the surgery was successful.

My memories of Vietnam are therefore linked to gratitude. The country and its people not only gave me knowledge, a career, comrades, brothers, and friends, but also helped me overcome my illness and regain my health to continue my work.

My memories are a small and concrete proof affirming that "The special friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Laos, which was painstakingly cultivated by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane and President Souphanouvong, is a precious asset of the two peoples and one of the decisive factors for the victory of the revolutionary cause of the two peoples".

The Vietnamese country and people are very hospitable and always have special feelings for the Lao people. Vietnamese comrades always keep in mind the words of President Ho Chi Minh: "Helping friends is helping ourselves."

Therefore, I can affirm: Vietnam is my second homeland. I will always try my best to contribute my small part to strengthen and enhance the Laos-Vietnam relationship, contribute to the development of both countries, spread practical evidence so that more and more people understand, appreciate and preserve the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam, the invaluable common asset of the two peoples.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/viet-nam-que-huong-thu-hai-cua-toi-326770-326770.html