(KPL/VNA) A cultural exchange event connecting Lao and Cambodian students studying in Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnamese families hosting them have been held in the southern province of Binh Thuan, aiming to strengthen the friendship and comprehensive and sustainable cooperation between Vietnam and its two neighboring countries.

Taking place on November 2 and 3, the annual event saw approximately 160 students visiting local scenic spots and historical sites, and engaging in cultural exchanges with their Vietnamese peers and host families.

They paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at a local museum dedicated to the late Vietnamese leader and toured the Duc Thanh school, where he once taught before leaving the country to seek a way for national salvation. Additionally, the participants engaged in a series of exchange activities, including a knowledge contest about the life, career, and legacy of President Ho Chi Minh as well as the historical and cultural ties between Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

In his remarks, Vice President of the HCM City Federation of Labour Phung Thai Quang said that the friendship among the three peoples was forged through challenging times, especially during their struggles for independence and freedom.

He highlighted that the homestay programme not only offers material and emotional support for Lao and Cambodian students far from home but also serves as a strong bridge between them and their Vietnamese host parents. Its impact goes beyond familial bonds, resonating broadly as a vivid testament to international solidarity and cross-border friendship, Quang noted.

Xaiyavong Duangmany, a Lao student at the Nguyen Tat Thanh university who has lived in Vietnam since 2019, said he and his friends learn about culture and knowledge at school as well as life skills, daily routines, and the customs of Vietnamese families which they consider their beloved second home.

KPL