Vietnamese mother sponsors Laotian students: Family has 6 children, sometimes up to 20

The family of Ms. Nguyen Thi Hang (in District 4) is the largest family among the households participating in the program "Vietnamese families with Lao and Cambodian students studying in Ho Chi Minh City" of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City.

Before joining this program, Ms. Hang had "diplomatic experience" from sponsoring students from Cambodia, Myanmar, and participating in the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP). Ms. Hang clearly listed the names of 6 Lao students in her house, including 4 females named Keo, Lona, Duangmany, Loungtavan and 2 males named Nando, Xaiyaphone.

"We say we have 6 children, but sometimes they invite their friends over to play, and there are up to 20 people in the house. They also call me mom. The house is very crowded and fun," said Ms. Hang.

Ms. Hang (second from left) and her children attended the conference on the results of the implementation of the program "Vietnamese families with Lao and Cambodian students studying in Ho Chi Minh City" in 2024 on the afternoon of February 22.

PHOTO: PTN

According to Ms. Hang, when she first came to the family, her children were unfamiliar with the Vietnamese language and had not yet fully adapted to Vietnamese customs and practices. Therefore, whenever there was a program, she tried to create conditions and invite her children to participate.

Over the years, the mother-child relationship has grown steadily. The children have confided in their mother Hang about their studies, their living conditions, and even their personal secrets, such as who they love and who they like.

The students all nodded in agreement that Hang's mother cooks very well, and her food decoration skills are no less than those of high-class restaurants.

Loungtavan (from Vientiane) said she often participates in cooking competitions with her mother and "wins" many cooking awards.

In her daily life, when she has free time, she stays at her mother Hang's house. She likes her mother to make spring rolls, grilled pork noodles, and beef noodles the most. Occasionally, she and her siblings also go into the kitchen and cook traditional Lao dishes for their mother.

Loungtavan (third from left) and her siblings celebrate Hang's mother's birthday.

PHOTO: PTN

What she likes most about Vietnam, especially Ho Chi Minh City, is the tolerance, simplicity, and hospitality of the people. The infrastructure and quality of life in Ho Chi Minh City are also improving every day. Being attached to an open city and a Vietnamese family who always welcomes and shares with her is something that Loungtavan feels grateful for.

For her part, Ms. Hang also expressed her gratitude for having her children accompany her in life. She not only takes care of and educates them, but also learns many things from them, especially about culture and cuisine.

"I also went to Laos, to the diplomatic agencies of Laos, I am aware that this is an important job, responsible for the children, and contributes to fostering the lasting friendship between the two countries. I hope that there will be more families opening their arms to welcome, help, and create conditions for Lao and Cambodian students to come to Vietnam to study," said Ms. Hang.

Lao student: 'My favorite dish is bun rieu'

Chhey Vorn (from Siem Reap, Cambodia) has been studying in Ho Chi Minh City for 2 years. Vorn is currently a second-year student at Nguyen Tat Thanh University.

Speaking Vietnamese quite fluently, Vorn said that his family has many siblings and his parents really hope that he will study hard and succeed. Knowing that the medical industry in Ho Chi Minh City is very developed, Vorn decided to study abroad in Vietnam and was wholeheartedly supported by his family.

"When I first arrived, I missed home a lot. Hearing my friends praise the Vietnamese family program, I immediately signed up to participate to better understand the culture and people here and gradually get used to life in the new country," Vorn recalled.

Since moving into the home of mother Diep Thi Kim Hien (District 4), Vorn feels like he has his own family by his side and is less homesick.

"With my godmother, I was taken by her to participate in many cultural activities, travel, visit temples... In particular, Hien's mother cooks very well. I really like Vietnamese cuisine, and my favorite dish is bun rieu," Vorn shared.

Chhey Vorn (right) has been at Hien's mother's house for 2 years now.

PHOTO: PTN

Vorn jokingly said that she has two homes, in two countries. And what motivates her the most is that she is loved in both countries. When she returns to Cambodia, she misses her mother Hien as much as when she is in Ho Chi Minh City and thinks about her biological family.

When asked about her plans after graduation, Chhey Vorn said she plans to return to Cambodia to contribute to her homeland. Wherever she goes, the memories of her youth spent with the Vietnamese people will certainly be a valuable asset for her future career.

In addition to Vorn, Ms. Hien also sponsors another Cambodian student. She said the students felt very strange when they first arrived in Ho Chi Minh City.

"As a mother, I have taken in my children, so I have to be responsible and help them get used to life here so they can study with peace of mind. On weekends, I also take them out to eat and play so they can learn more about Vietnam. Sometimes they come back to my house and I teach them how to cook. It's also very fun, I see them as my own children," said Ms. Hien.

Sharing the reason for participating in sponsoring the children, Ms. Hien said she accidentally learned about the program and found that this was a very good activity, helping to strengthen the friendship between the three countries of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

"My children also taught me a lot of things. We sat and told each other about the culture of each country and through that, I also learned about many Cambodian dishes. Once, my children cooked me Num Banh Chok, a very famous traditional noodle dish of Cambodia. It was very delicious," Ms. Hien recalled.

According to Mr. Ngo Thanh Son, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, in 2024, there will be 95 Vietnamese families, 127 Lao students and 35 Cambodian students participating in the Vietnamese Family program with Lao and Cambodian students studying in Ho Chi Minh City.

In addition to the main activities of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City such as organizing the Vietnam - Cambodia family exchange and providing financial support of more than 748 million VND to host families, Ho Chi Minh City's socio-political organizations have implemented many meaningful events for families and students.

Through that, the program has been increasingly improved in quality, leaving a good impression and contributing to strengthening friendship between countries.

Thanhnien.vn

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/me-viet-do-dau-sinh-vien-lao-nha-co-6-con-thinh-thoang-len-toi-20-dua-185250222095916442.htm