Celebration of the traditional New Year festivals of Laos and Cambodia

 On the occasion of the traditional New Year festivals of the two countries, HUA held a fascinating festival celebration on 14 April, 2014 for Lao and Cambodian students. Assoc, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Trach, Vice Rector, representative leaders of the International Cooperation Office, the Political and Student Affairs Office, the Training Management Office, the Youth Union, representative international students from Mozambique and Angola gratefully attended the event. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trach sincerely extended his best New Year wishes and formally gave presents to Lao and Cambodian students. He further affirmed the solidarity and the friendship among Vietnamese, Lao and Cambodian people and emphasized the important position and the role of the university in the training of students, and staff for Cambodia and Lao PDR. He reminded and encouraged all students making their greatest efforts to attain more successful academic performance so that they can contribute to the development of Laos and Cambodia on return to their home countries. The attending representative leaders also presented flowers to the students. In response, representative students from Laos and Cambodia kindly expressed their great gratitude and sincere thanks for the concern and support from the Rectorate Board and supportive offices. They really felt happy and confided that they felt like at home. 

The traditional New Year of Cambodia formally called Chol Chnam Thmay takes place from April 14-16 marking the changing of the gods that look after people and their life on the earth, including the annual harvest. During the three-day festival, people flock to pagodas to pray for a bumper harvest, good health, good luck and prosperity. They also make offerings to the gods and hold rituals at home in worship of their ancestors and Buddha. Likewise, that of Laos called Bunpimay festival or in other words water splashing festival is celebrated from 13 to 15 every April. One of the most interesting activities of the festival is “splashing” water to each other, their houses, furniture and animals wishing to remove bad things and diseases in the New Year.

The event took place in a warm atmosphere with typical traditional cultural activities. It once again confirmed the solidarity and the friendship among the three countries, particularly the caring of HUA to international students.

Vice Rector, Assoc, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Trach presented flowers and gifts to students

Group photos