Lao House in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City

Mr. Thon Bunheng supports the children exchange program between Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia in Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: B.MiNH

Over the years, this place has become the "common home" of many Lao and Cambodian students sent to Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) to study.

The Lao student dormitory has become a warm common home where Lao and Cambodian students find solidarity and brotherhood. I think everyone here will take advantage of this opportunity to learn, develop themselves and appreciate the value of solidarity between the three countries.

Mr. LATSAMY SIMANICHAN

A place to foster friendship

Established in 2004, the dormitory receives, manages and takes care of the material and spiritual life of international students from the two countries under the scholarship program of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee. The first year welcomed 31 Lao students. Since 2008, the first 5 Cambodian students have moved in. After 20 years, the Lao student dormitory has welcomed 697 Lao and Cambodian students.

Many of you have come and returned to build your homeland after years in this common home. You have contributed to building bridges to foster the solidarity and special friendship between Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

There, you will have the opportunity to participate in many programs and activities to learn about the history, people and culture of Vietnam. At the same time, you will also have the opportunity to introduce more about your country, traditions and culture to your friends and people of Ho Chi Minh City through cultural exchange activities with students, youth and people of the city.

For its good performance, the Lao student dormitory has received many awards at all levels. Including the 3rd class Labor Medal from the President of Vietnam in 2012 and 2019.

The Lao Government awarded the Friendship Medal for its contribution to fostering the Vietnam - Laos friendship and contributions to the construction of Laos in 2014.

Thon Bunheng, a PhD student in business administration at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (Cambodia), said that living here helped him understand more about Vietnamese culture. Many Lao and Cambodian students choose to celebrate Lunar New Year with Vietnamese people.

Thanks to that, I understood more about traditional culture, enjoyed many Vietnamese New Year dishes, somewhat reduced my homesickness and clearly felt the friendly connection between the three countries.

Like in the middle of home

For many Lao and Cambodian students, dormitories are a beautiful memory of their youth. Having lived in Ho Chi Minh City for three years, Latsamy Simanichan, a graduate student at the University of Economics and Law (Ho Chi Minh City National University), and also the head of the Lao student self-management committee, said it was like a "second home" for them.

"Through cultural and sports exchanges, events and friendly exchange activities at the dormitory, I have the opportunity to learn about traditions, history, lifestyle and clearly feel the openness, hospitality and solidarity of the Vietnamese people. I am very impressed with these things, feeling more attached to the country and people here" - Mr. Latsamy said.

For Phoummy Bin, a Laotian student studying at Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, five years living in Ho Chi Minh City was a memorable experience. But perhaps the most memorable moment for her was the time when Ho Chi Minh City was locked down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The board of directors and management stayed at the dormitory and promptly supported Laotian and Cambodian students who had to quarantine in place.

"We were given medicine, rice and were always encouraged to take care of our health and spirit. I know things were quite scarce at that time, but our brothers and sisters always mobilized and found aid to provide us with essential supplies. I always remember the city's motto "No one is left behind" at that time" - Phoummy Bin remembers.

Connecting into a community

Satisfied with life at the dormitory, Thon Bunheng hopes that future generations of international students who will come to live and study here will cherish the connections and learning opportunities. "Try to arrange to participate in social activities and contribute to the community. That will open up the potential for long-term cooperation," he advised.

Meanwhile, Phoummy Bin believes that the common house is a solid bridge that demonstrates the connection and fosters the special friendship of the three countries through the youth representatives. He said that every day living here leaves behind beautiful and memorable memories during his time studying in Vietnam.

"More than just a place to stay, the Lao student dormitory has become a "second home", where we bond as a community and will be the first place we think of when facing difficulties" - Phoummy confided.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ngoi-nha-lao-giua-long-tp-hcm-20240928214401872.htm