Meeting celebrates Lao Bunpimay Festival in Thai Nguyen province

The event, held by Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association of Thai Nguyen province, drew the participation of representatives of the Lao Embassy in Vietnam, leaders of Thai Nguyen province, and Lao and Cambodian students in the province.

It aims to foster exchange between the foreign students and local peers, and encourage them to explore cultural characteristics of Vietnam and Laos.

Diverse activities such as presenting gifts to students, rituals welcoming the Lao festival and art performances by Vietnamese and Lao students were held.

Bunpimay Festival is observed on April 13th to 16th annually to pray for good weather, health, abundant harvests and prosperity.

Over the past years, there has been an increase in the number of Lao students in Thai Nguyen province. In 2008-2009 school year, there was only 27 Lao students in four universities in the province. Now, nearly 2,000 Lao and 30 Cambodian students are studying at 13 universities and colleges there./.