Lao students at colleges in the northern mountainous province of Dien Bien celebrated their traditional New Year, Bun Pi May, on April 14.

During an exchange held in the Dien Bien Pedagogy College, Lao students received well wishes from Vietnamese teachers and students.

They joined Vietnamese counterparts in traditional activities like water splashing and a ceremony where strings are tied around people’s wrists to wish them good luck for the New Year.

An art performance at the celebration (Photo: source: vovworld.vn)

Lao students said they were pleased to celebrate the festival in Vietnam.

Sporting activities such as football, sepatakraw and tug of war, were held in the college on April 12-13 to celebrate the occasion.

Rector of the college Nguyen Song Binh said the exchange contributed to strengthening links between Dien Bien and Lao localities and the Vietnam-Laos friendship.

Under an agreement between Dien Bien and the three Lao northern provinces of Oudomxay, Luang Phrabang and Phongsaly the Vietnamese locality has received Lao students to study in schools in the locality.

Over 200 Lao students are studying in local schools in the 2015-2016 academic year, mainly in colleges of pedagogy, economics, technology and medicine.

The Bun Pi May festival falls on April 14 to 16, with several ritual ceremonies, and prayers for good weather, an abundant harvest and a prosperous New Year.

Source: VNA