Vietnamese leaders attend a ritual of tying strings around their wrists to wish for good health, luck, and success at the celebration hosted by the Lao Embassy in Hanoi on April 11, 2019. (Photo: VNA).

Lao Ambassador Thongsavanh Phomvihane reviewed his country’s recent accomplishments, saying they were achieved with Vietnam’s valuable support. Bilateral friendship, solidarity, and cooperation established by Vietnam’s President Ho Chi Minh and Laos’s Presidents Kaysone Phomvihane and Souphanouvong have been nurtured by generations of the two countries' leaders, he said.   

Vietnam’s National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong delivered her New Year wishes to the Lao people and spoke highly of bilateral ties: “Vietnam will continue working with Laos to preserve and develop their special friendship while boosting their comprehensive cooperation to a new height. We are confident that our joint efforts will meet the aspirations and trust of the two peoples and contribute to peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperity in the region and the world.”  

Bunpimay, one of Laos’s biggest festivals, will take place from Sunday to Tuesday. During the festival, people splash water on each other to generate luck in the new year.

On this occasion, Party leader and President Nguyen Phu Trong, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan extended congratulations to their Lao counterparts.

Thailand’s traditional New Year festival Songkran was held at Hanoi Univesrity on Thursday with Thai Ambassador to Vietnam Tanee Sangrat  in attendance. Also present were lecturers  from the Thai language faculty, together with Vietnamese and foreign students who are studying Thai at the university.

Ambassador Tanee Sangrat said at the function: “The event was organized to help students better understand Thailand’s traditional New Year festival. The New Year’s celebrations of Laos and Myanmar also fall on the same date. We would like to thank Hanoi University for hosting the celebration and inviting Vietnamese and foreign students to participate in the festival games and activities, which are meant to usher in good luck for the new year. This was my first Songkran celebration since I took office in Vietnam. ”

Other activities at the festival included performances of traditional dances as well as songs and game shows.