Celebrating sentimental Bunpimay with Laotian students at UEF

Bunpimay, Laotian traditional New Year festival, is celebrated annually from April 14 to 16 (solar calendar). On April 13, the Department of Student Services cooperated with the Faculty of International Relations to organize a New Year Festival for Laotian UEFers in 2023 with a view to helping them have a chance to ease their homesickness.

The event featured Dr. Nhan Cam Tri – Vice President, Mr. Bui Quang Dong – Director of Department of Student Services, Mr. Nguyen Huynh Sinh – Deputy Director of the Department of Student Services, Ms. Le Phuong Cat Nhi – Assistant Dean of Faculty of International Relations, Mr. Phung Tien Khoa – Officer,  Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union's Department of Diplomatic Publicity and Education, Mr. Tran Vinh Hoang - Vice Chairman, Student Association and UEFers.

Laotian students receiving meaningful New Year gifts from UEF

In the beginning, Dr. Nhan Cam Tri shared: "In the upcoming days, our neighboring friend – Lao, will be celebrating their traditional New Year. Understanding the Laotian students’ ineffable feelings of being distanced from home during this occasion, UEF decided to hold this event. In hope for a great new year, I would like to send you my best wishes for peace, health, happiness and success on the path you have chosen."

Dr. Nhan Cam Tri sending New Year wishes to Laotian UEFers

Aside from delivering good wishes to Laotian students, Dr. Nhan Cam Tri also expressed his delight when UEFers had the opportunity to experience unique Laotian traditions and cultures.

During the morning, guests and students had a chance to admire the traditional costumes of Laos, participate in traditional rituals such as the Traditional Worshiping Ceremony, Baci ceremony, Lamvong Dance and Water Festival as well as enjoy Larb - Laotian national New Year dish. These traditional rituals are believed to bring blessings, good lucks, health and banish bad lucks.

Laotian students performing traditional rituals on Bunpimay

Soulivong Konglar – Junior student, Faculty of International Relations, who hasn’t been together with his family on Bunpimay for 3 years revealed that: “Being separated from home during Bunpimay is quite downhearted for me, but I feel much better since UEF has always been so considerate and even tried to recreate the atmosphere of our traditional New Year. Those have deeply comforted me and help me relieve my homesickness.”

Performers with traditional Laotian costumes 

Feeling relatable to Soulivong Konglar, Thipkaisone Aphaiyalath – Junior student, International Relations, expressed her longing: “Being involved in familiar ceremonies, eating traditional food and reliving my childhood with nostalgic dance moves make my heart feel easy. Even if my parents aren’t by my side at the moment, I still have my friends. They accompanies me to celebrate Bunpimay and make the gloom go away."

Baci ceremony is believed to bring peace, good luck and good health

The two aforementioned Laotian students also wished their lecturers and other UEFers peace, happiness and success.

Faculty members and UEFers experiencing cultural activities during the traditional Laotian New Year

UEF is an especially appealing institution for Laotian exchange students as cultural respect and cultural diversity are two of the focal points here. Celebrating Bunpimay is just one in many ways that UEF signifies that we truly care about students’ spiritual life. Hopefully, Laotian students will have more motivation to comprehensively develop themselves, give greater attention to their studying career and reach their desired goals.

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