Lao students in Dong Nai participating in cultural performances in an exchange program organized by Dong Nai province Union of Friendship Organizations and the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association. Photo: Song Thao

In 2009, the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association of Dong Nai province was officially established. This is the first friendship association among the 10-member-friendship associations of Dong Nai province Union of Friendship Organizations.

* Towards Laotian youth far away from home

According to the veteran Do Dang Tuoc, Chairman of the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association of Dong Nai province, to mobilize Dong Nai people to participate in the association, connect Lao people living in Dong Nai to participate in building linking bridges connecting Vietnam and Laos in the area... are concerns not only for him, but also for the Executive Committee of the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association of Dong Nai province and the Executive Committee of Dong Nai province Union of Friendship Organizations.

From that reality, the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association of Dong Nai province has determined that building bridges of friendship and people-to-people diplomacy come from specific actions, solving things that members are interested in and involved in supporting what our Lao friends need.

In order for Lao students not to be left out of building friendship bridges, the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association of Dong Nai province and branches at colleges and universities proactively encourage Lao students to become honorary members of the Association.

As the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association Branches of Dong Nai province organize activities, they focus on inviting Lao youth to participate not only as guests but also participate in the event organization process. For example, Association Branch 5 has admitted Lao students studying at Dong Nai University of Technology as honorary members. Or Lao students at Dong Nai Medical College and Dong Nai University often appear on stage in traditional costumes to show Lao dances in  exchange activities.

Particularly on the occasions of the Dong Nai province Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association and its association branches celebrate International Children's Day, Vietnamese Women's Day, International Women's Day, Mid-Autumn Festival..., Lao youth is a part of these activities. On these occasions, the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association of Dong Nai province also listen to the sharing of Lao youth about the advantages and especially the difficulties in their daily lives in Dong Nai to promptly handle and support them.

Student Vixayvong Kikham studying at Dong Nai Medical College said that during Laos' traditional New Year, Lao students often stay in Dong Nai to celebrate New Year and do not return their homeland. In addition to participating in the New Year celebration organized by the province, Lao students need a place to organize the entertainment activities and water festival according to their own traditional customs.

The Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association of Dong Nai province, the association branches and school administrators have created favourable conditions for Lao Youth to celebrate New Year holidays on a spacious campus with the participation of members of Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association of Dong Nai province and its association branches. This makes Lao students feel emotionally warm.

* Creating a playground and care for members in difficult circumstances

In addition to the care for Lao youth in Dong Nai province, the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association also has many activities to care for members in difficult circumstances and organizes activities for members.

According to Mr. Do Dang Tuoc, the Association has many members that are veterans suffering from many injuries due to war, and many their descendants who are victims of Agent Orange/dioxin. From that reality, every year, through advocacy work, the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association of Dong Nai province and its affiliates and association branches present gifts to support people in need. In addition to members' contributions, the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association of Dong Nai province also coordinates with Red Cross Associations at all levels and Agent Orange/Dioxin Victims Associations at all levels to present gifts during holidays and Tet. At the same time, in many cases, they are also given the opportunities to borrow capital from mass organizations to run their own jobs.

Member Hoang Thi Mang (coming from Vinh An Town, Vinh Cuu District) said that she is a wounded soldier and a revolutionary activist who is exposed to toxic chemicals. Her daughter is also a victim of Agent Orange/dioxin. In addition to State subsidies, the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association of Dong Nai province and its branch also pay a lot of attention to families when they contact, present gifts and support loans for livestock farming.

In addition, the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association of Dong Nai province regularly maintains an annual entertainment playground for its members. Accordingly, as the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Singing Festival is held, there are 30 performances of many genres: solo - duet - trio, group singing, dancing, singing combined with dancing, musical instrument performances... displayed by its members. Notably, Laotian youth living and studying in Dong Nai also actively participate in the Festival with traditional dance performances.

Along with the "internal" playground, members of the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association of Dong Nai province also actively contribute to the success of Dong Nai province's Friendship Melodies Festival organized by Dong Nai province Union of Friendship Organizations. This is an opportunity to introduce the artistic faces of the Association and an opportunity to meet and interact with friends. Therefore, the Executive Committee of the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association of Dong Nai province and its members are very active in building programs, practicing and performing.

With no association branch at the grassroots level and only about 40 members at the beginning of its early operational stage, the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association in Dong Nai province has now built 4 joint associations and 40 association branches  and a poetry club thanks to these efforts for the past 14 years. These addresses are the operational places of nearly 2 thousand members.