Deputy PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (the middle) at the event (Photo: VNA)
(VOVworld) – Many activities are taking place in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to mark the traditional New Year of Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar.
In Hanoi, Vietnamese Party and State officials joined the staff of the Lao Embassy in a celebration of Laos’ traditional Bun Pi May New Year festival on Thursday. Speaking at the ceremony, National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong said that Vietnam vows to work to lift its special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Laos to a higher level. Lao Ambassador Somphone Sichaleune said the occasion offered a good opportunity to review the results of recent cooperation between the two countries. Ambassador Somphone Sichaleune said strengthening comprehensive relations between Laos and Vietnam has brought practical benefits to their people.
In Ho Chi Minh City, the municipal Union of Friendship Organizations organized festive activities for the Laotian, Thai, Cambodian, and Myanmar people living and working in Vietnam with the participation of the General Consulates of these countries in the city.
Hout Kim Hai, a Cambodian student at Ho Chi Minh City’s University of Medicine and Pharmacy joined the festival activities. He said: "This is the first time I took part in such activities in Vietnam to mark our traditional New Year and I felt as if I were at home. I learned that these our countries share many similarities in their people’s daily lives, such as family reunions on important occasions, going to pagodas, and organizing the water-splashing festival. I also made many Thai, Laotian, and Myanmar friends during the occasion. We really had fun."