From their first Vietnamese words, Lao students at Ha Long University gradually gain confidence in communicating, studying and integrating with Vietnamese students. Their classes, trips and shared activities also help build a bridge of friendship connecting Vietnam and Laos.
Lao student Phoummalay Muenlath studied Vietnamese from October 2025 to August 2026, a journey that was far from easy. Phoummalay Muenlath said: “When I first started learning Vietnamese, I found it quite difficult, especially pronunciation and listening to Vietnamese people talking to one another. Sometimes I could hear them but could not fully understand what they were saying. But now, thanks to the dedicated teaching and support of my lecturers, I have improved and become more confident in communicating in Vietnamese.”
For Khampasert Khoaunvithong, a student in Business Administration class K5A, the 10 months spent learning Vietnamese were not only preparation for the university programme. Khampasert Khoaunvithong said: “After graduating from high school, I came here to study Vietnamese and had opportunities to experience, explore and learn about the culture and people of Vietnam. After 10 months of studying Vietnamese, I received my certificate and began studying at Ha Long University. Besides learning Vietnamese, I have had many opportunities to experience and discover new things. Now I consider Vietnam my second home.”
More importantly, experiences outside the classroom help make Vietnamese part of Lao students’ everyday communication. Vice Rector of Ha Long University Assoc. Prof. Dr Hoang Thi Thu Giang said: “We create a wide range of Vietnamese-language learning environments for Lao students, with increasingly diverse teaching methods. In addition to regular classes, the university organises thematic activities and programmes exploring Vietnamese culture. Through these trips, the students expand their vocabulary while learning about Vietnam’s culture, history and traditional cuisine.”
For a Lao student to use Vietnamese confidently in study and daily life, each class is supported by lecturers as well as students from earlier intakes. Over 14 training courses, Vietnamese has gradually become a stepping stone enabling many Lao students to continue their studies at Ha Long University. In the 2025-2026 academic year alone, 108 Lao students came to study Vietnamese, more than 80 of whom registered to continue with undergraduate programmes at the university.
During their years of study in Quang Ninh, Lao students also take part in a range of university clubs, from the teacher-training students’ club and volunteer students’ club to academic clubs. Through programmes such as the “Green Summer” campaign, they join Vietnamese students in travelling to different localities to support communities, present gifts and carry out volunteer activities. In July, during a volunteer trip to Hoanh Mo commune, the Lao students had further opportunities to meet people in the highlands and learn about local life and culture. In this way, Vietnam-Laos friendship is nurtured through simple, everyday experiences and grows with each encounter and each journey.
