Vietnam - Laos friendship shines through Bunpimay celebrations
DNO - A series of vibrant cultural activities have been held across Da Nang to celebrate the traditional Lao New Year Bunpimay, highlighting the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos.
Festive colours, laughter and the gentle splash of water rituals filled Da Nang in recent days, as Bunpimay, Laos’ traditional New Year, was celebrated across the city.
A festival that brings cultures closer
The Bunpimay Festival 2026 (Buddhist Era 2569), jointly organized by the Da Nang Union of Friendship Organisations, the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association and the Lao Consulate General in the city, stood out as a hallmark of people-to-people diplomacy.
Held annually, the event has become more than a cultural celebration; it is a living platform that nurtures trust, mutual understanding and long-term cooperation between the two neighboring nations.
Addressing the ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee Tran Anh Tuan underscored the city’s growing awareness of its role in strengthening ties with central and southern Lao provinces.
As Da Nang continues to rise as a regional hub, it sees itself not only as an economic engine but also as a bridge for friendship - deepening collaboration in trade, education, healthcare, national defense and social welfare.
Echoing this sentiment, Lao Consul General Vonekham Chueangmanivong expressed pride in the expanding depth of bilateral relations.
She highlighted the momentum gained following the December 2025 state visit to Laos by Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam, during which both sides agreed to elevate ties with a new strategic dimension - “strategic connectivity”.
The move signals a shared determination to advance together into a new era of growth and integration.
From cultural celebration to enduring connection
While official statements set the tone, it was the grassroots celebrations that brought the spirit of friendship vividly to life.
At University of Science and Education under the University of Da Nang, nearly 300 Lao students gathered to celebrate Bunpimay.
There, Lao students found themselves immersed in the familiar rhythms and traditions of home, as if reliving the cultural essence of their homeland.
Traditional attire, graceful Lamvong dances, sacred wrist-tying rituals and joyful water splashing transformed the campus into a slice of Laos. For many students, the experience was both nostalgic and uplifting.
Vilisane Sommixay, a student representative, shared that this was his second Bunpimay in Vietnam.
This year, he took on a more active role, helping organize activities and connect fellow students. His efforts and those of many others, turned the celebration into a warm, collective embrace.
In the laughter echoing through water rituals and the rhythm of traditional dance, Bunpimay in Da Nang became more than a festival. It became a bridge, linking hearts, cultures and aspirations.