The New Year festival, called Chol Chnam Thmay in Cambodia and Bunpimay in Laos, is held from April 14-16 every year.

A friendship exchange among Vietnamese, Lao and Cambodian youths studying at Kien Giang University was held in the southern province of Kien Giang on April 14, on the occasion of Chol Chnam Thmay, reported VNA.

Speaking at the event, Vice Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union’s provincial chapter and Vice Chairman of the provincial Vietnam Youth Union (VYU) Phan Dinh Nhan said it is an activity to raise awareness of friendship and solidarity among Vietnamese and Lao, Cambodian youths, thereby raising their understanding and contributing to safeguarding each nation’s territorial sovereignty.

Participants enjoyed music performances and traditional cuisines and played folk games at the event.

The provincial VYU and the provincial Union of Friendship Organisations presented 69 gifts and 12 scholarships to Lao and Cambodian students at Kien Giang University.

The Cuu Long University in the southern province of Vinh Long also held an event to welcome the traditional New Year festival for Cambodian and Lao students as well as its Khmer lecturers and students.

The university’s Rector Luong Minh Cu said that due to complex developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cambodian and Lao students cannot return home to welcome the New Year with their families.

Therefore, the university organised the event to help them practice rituals and customs during their traditional New Year festivals such as thread tying and water splashing, and participate in folk games, he said.

The event was also a chance to connect Cambodian and Lao students with Vietnamese teachers and friends.

A total of 114 Cambodian and Laos students are studying at the university.

According to vietnamtimes.org.vn