Hanoi (VNA) – A cultural exchange event took place in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum on April 9 for Lao and Cambodian students studying at the local chapter of the Da Nang University to celebrate their traditional New Year festivals Bunpimay and Chol Chnam Thmay.

At the event, the foreign students had the opportunity to introduce their countries' traditional culture to local people. This is an annual activity to create an exchange environment between students of the three countries, thereby cultivating their friendship and mutual understanding.

The local educational establishment is offering courses for 86 Lao and 12 Cambodian students.

Earlier, on April 8, the Thua Thien-Hue College of Education and Hue University held a celebration of the Bunpimay festival for nearly 340 Lao students studying in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue.

Addressing the event, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Huy Thai emphasised that over the years, the province has always paid attention to fostering and strengthening the friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Lao central and southern provinces in all fields, especially education and training.

Since 2002, the province has hosted over 1,200 Lao students, of which 625 have graduated.

Also on April 8, a series of cultural, sport and musical activities took place at the Tay Bac University in the northwestern province of Son La to mark Bunpimay for the Lao student community in the locality.

In addition to Tay Bac, three local colleges are training Laos students. Between 2015 and now, nearly 3,000 Lao students have studied in Son La, with more than 2,100 of them having already completed their training programmes./.