Lamvong Dance in Bunpimay Festival at Dalat University

Lao female students studying at Dalat University

Bunpimay (New Year Festival) or Hotnam (Water Festival) is one of the most important festivals, preserved and organized by Lao people according to unique traditional rituals from April 13 to 16 of the solar calendar. This is also the hottest period of the year, the festival has the meaning of bringing coolness and prosperity to all things, purifying human life.

Also during these days, over the past 9 years, organizing Bunpimay Festival for Lao students has become an annual activity with many special meanings of Dalat University.

Lao and Cambodian officers were also present at the ceremony organized by Dalat University.

Mr. Tran Thong - Vice Principal of Dalat University affirmed: "We always consider Laotian students as important members of the common home called Dalat University. A place that not only provides knowledge but also takes care of life, spirit and fosters friendship, cultural and intellectual exchange between generations of students from the two countries.

“Although far from home and family, we always want you to feel the sincere affection, deep care and warm atmosphere like in your own hometown. The school always considers you a part of the big family of Dalat University and we are committed to continuing to create the best conditions for you to study, practice and grow up”, on behalf of the Board of Directors, Vice Principal Tran Thong is sure about this.

Dalat University gives gifts to Laotian students

Filled with joy, Sisahad Mayoulath - a third-year student from Laos shared: “Although Vietnamese Lunar New Year and Lao Bunpimay are different in terms of time and customs, they are similar in the bustling atmosphere, excitedly waiting for the new year filled with joy. Vietnamese and Lao people, no matter what job they do or where they are, all look forward to returning home to reunite with their families during Tet. Joy, happiness, and emotion are my feelings right now. Even though I cannot return to Laos, my friends and I can still celebrate the traditional Bunpimay New Year of our nation, which makes me feel very happy and less homesick for my homeland and parents.”

Lam Dong Province Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association presents gifts to Laotian students

Also according to Sisahad Mayoulath: This year is the 9th year that Lao students have been present at Dalat University and also the 9th year that Lao students have celebrated BunPimay in a joyful atmosphere, solidarity, and friendship between the brotherly peoples.

"We all always consider Vietnam as our second home, Dalat University has become the family of the Lao international student community" - Sisahad Mayoulath shared.

Leaders of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department present gifts to families sponsoring Lao students.

There is an activity that is always anticipated at the annual Bunpimay Festival at Dalat University, which is the ceremony of Vietnamese parents sponsoring Lao students. This year is no exception, new students in the 2024-2025 school year are all sponsored by Vietnamese families living in Dalat.

This is one of the meaningful activities, demonstrating the attachment and long-term support, both material and spiritual, for Lao students.

Keochampa Bounleuth (also known as Quang in Vietnamese) is the person who was adopted by Mr. Ha Huu Net's family.

Keochampa Bounleuth (also known as Quang in Vietnamese) - a Laotian male student who has just been in Vietnam for 4 months confided: When living and studying in a foreign land, there are times when we miss home, miss our family, miss our homeland's language and customs. However, it is the warm affection, sincere sharing and affection of Vietnamese uncles, aunts, brothers and sisters that help us ease that nostalgia, feel close as if we were at home. From today, we not only have more teachers and friends but also more fathers and mothers, who always follow and are ready to share with us the difficulties and joys in life.

Mr. Ha Huu Net, Keochampa Bounleuth's godfather, expressed his joy at seeing Quang as a member of the family. Mr. Net hopes that Quang will have complete joy during his time living and studying in Vietnam. He believes that this is the best way for the people of Da Lat - Lam Dong to express their hospitality, friendliness and above all, the special affection and affection that the Vietnamese people have for the Lao people.

Lao students perform wrist tying ceremony

In the middle of the library hall, Lao students also organized a wrist-tying ceremony (also known as Sou Khoan) for teachers, delegates and guests. This is a spiritual custom associated with the lives of Lao people for a long time and is indispensable during the New Year, with the meaning of bringing peace and luck to the person whose wrist-tying ceremony is held.

Wrist-tying Ceremony for delegates attending Bunpimay Festival

They tie colored threads and send wishes of happiness and health to the person being tied. This custom, though simple, deeply reflects the gentle nature of the Lao people. They never pray for themselves, but only for others. According to them, when they do something good for others, that good will come to them. During Tet, whoever has the most threads tied around their wrists is considered to have good luck all year.

Lamvong dance by Dalat University students celebrating Bunpimay Festival 2024

The ceremony took place and ended with the music of Lamvong dance. This is an art form inherited from ancient times, originating from the life, labor, beliefs and various rituals of the Lao ethnic people. And this dance has also been officially recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Lamvong dance not only reflects the life and spirit of solidarity and unity of the Lao people but also represents a joyful culture, expressing gratitude to the land where the Lao people live. Over time, Lamvong dance has transformed into an elegant and stylized art form, now an indispensable part of Lao culture.

The circular dance, counterclockwise, seems to affirm the immutable value of time, of history, of the present and the future of the strong friendship between the two countries of Vietnam and Laos. There, too, are memories filled with beauty that are forever preserved in the memories of Lao students during their days in this highland city.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/xa-hoi/202504/dieu-lamvong-trong-tet-bunpimay-o-truong-dai-hoc-da-lat-e4266c7/