Cultivating friendship and solidarity in Southern and Central Laos
DNO- In Southern and Central Laos, Vietnamese language centres supported by Da Nang have become familiar destinations for local officials and students, helping to promote Vietnamese language and culture while strengthening the longstanding friendship between the two sides.
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Learning Vietnamese in Laos
The Vietnamese Language Centre in Savannakhet Province (Kaysone Phomvihane City, Savannakhet Province, Laos) is regarded as one of the flagship friendship projects between Da Nang City and its Lao partner.
From one classroom comes the sound of students speaking Vietnamese with a distinctly Lao accent. Teacher Doan Thi Bao An guides them through pronunciation, dictation and vocabulary. After nearly a year in Laos, she now teaches more than 150 students, including many officials and public employees in Savannakhet Province.
As a graduate of the University of Education under the University of Da Nang, Bao An volunteered in early 2026 for the city’s programme sending teachers to Laos to teach Vietnamese to local officials and students.
Soon after arriving in Savannakhet, Bao An settled into a busy schedule, teaching officials during the day and students in the evening. She adapts her approach to each class, preparing and translating potentially difficult words and explaining their meanings in different contexts.
Phouvilay Phimvongsa, Director of the Vietnamese Language Centre in Savannakhet Province, said the centre, established in 2010 with financial support from Da Nang, has trained thousands of students.
Two teachers from Da Nang are sent there each year, while students completing courses receive Da Nang-funded opportunities to undertake internships and practical training in Vietnam.
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Assessing the programme, Khamphui Sybounheuang, Vice Chairman of the Savannakhet Provincial Administration, said Da Nang has consistently supported cooperation programmes, expanding opportunities for education and experience sharing while promoting economic and cultural ties and connectivity along the East-West Economic Corridor.
Da Nang stands alongside its Lao partners
Da Nang has expanded cooperation with Southern and Central Lao provinces (including Sekong, Attapeu, Champasak and Salavan) in investment, trade, tourism, training and human resource development, helping strengthen connectivity and unlock local economic potential.
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At a forum on East-West Economic Corridor connectivity in Pakse in April 2026, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee Phan Thai Binh said the corridor plays a key role in promoting trade, investment and tourism among Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. As its eastern gateway, Da Nang sees stronger links with cities and provinces along the corridor as key to expanding its development space.
Da Nang places particular importance on cooperation with five Southern and Central Lao provinces, with collaboration spanning investment, trade, logistics, education, healthcare, culture and infrastructure.
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The cooperation has produced tangible results. In April 2026, the Friendship Primary and Secondary School in Khongsedone District, Salavan Province, was inaugurated after being upgraded with nearly VND 6 billion in support from Da Nang.
Da Nang also welcomes Lao students and officials for study and practical training while sending Vietnamese teachers to share the language and culture, helping strengthen lasting ties with neighbouring Lao provinces.