A Warm Bunpimay New Year at the Academy of Public Administration and Governance

The Bunpimay New Year, also known as the Water Festival, takes place annually from April 13 to 16 of the solar calendar, during a time when the sky and earth are clear and rivers and streams are abundant, symbolizing a lucky and prosperous new beginning. The most unique feature of the festival is the water splashing ritual—a cultural trait rich in spiritual meaning for the Lao people.

According to traditional beliefs, water is the source of life, capable of washing away bad luck, dispelling sorrow, and bringing purity and rebirth. This custom originates from the wet rice agricultural lifestyle, expressing the desire for coolness, good harvests, and a peaceful life. During the New Year days, people splash water on each other as a way of sending blessings, praying for favorable weather, and a peaceful, happy, and fulfilling new year.

Attending the ceremony, on the side of the guest delegates, were: Mr. Inthavong Maneethong, Education and Culture Counselor of the Embassy of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in Vietnam; Mr. Khamtan Somvong, former Education and Culture Counselor of the Lao Embassy in Vietnam; Mr. Nguyen The Ngoc from Vietnam's Military Expert Group 959 assisting Laos; and Mr. Nguyen Van Co, Member of the Standing Committee of the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association.

On the side of the Academy of Public Administration and Governance, attendees included: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien, President of the Academy; Dr. Bui Phuong Dinh, Vice President of the Academy; leaders of faculties, departments, and units affiliated with the Academy; along with a large number of Lao international students researching and studying at the Academy.

Delivering congratulatory remarks on the biggest traditional holiday of the year for the fraternal Lao people, on behalf of the Board of Management and the collective of officials and employees of the Academy, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien sent wishes for a happy and successful new year to the officials of the Lao Embassy in Vietnam, as well as the Lao learners and students studying at the Academy and their families. He wished the Lao people, under the leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, to achieve even greater accomplishments in the coming new year.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien emphasized that the Bunpimay New Year is not only a moment of transition to the new year but also an opportunity for every Lao citizen to turn toward their roots, preserve and spread good traditional cultural values, while simultaneously consolidating the spirit of solidarity and community attachment.

For the Academy of Public Administration and Governance, the training and fostering of Lao international students is an important political task, demonstrating affection and responsibility in cultivating the loyal friendship between the two nations of Vietnam and Laos. Currently, the Academy is training 123 Lao international students, including undergraduates, master's students, and doctoral candidates. These achieved results are a testament to the trust of the Lao Party, State, and people in the Academy.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien acknowledged and praised the spirit of effort, overcoming of difficulties, and the study and training achievements of the international students. He also expressed his belief that they will become high-quality human resources, making practical contributions to the development of Laos and serving as a solid bridge for the friendship between the two countries. The Academy also appreciates the close coordination of the Lao Embassy in Vietnam and desires to continue strengthening cooperation in the coming time.

On the threshold of the Bunpimay New Year 2026 of the Lao PDR, on behalf of the Board of Management and the Academy's collective of officials and employees, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ba Chien sent New Year greetings to the officials of the Lao Embassy in Vietnam. He wished the Lao learners and international students studying at the Academy to always remain healthy, happy, and achieve much success in their research and studies, actively contributing to the socio-economic development of Laos, and building an increasingly strong, prosperous, and beautiful nation.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Khamtan Somvong emphasized the special solidarity and loyal attachment between the two Parties and the Peoples of Vietnam and Laos as a "unique" value, which has been forged and affirmed throughout the long history of cooperation, friendship, and mutual development of the two countries. He stated that, over the past time, the Lao Party and State have always received precious support from the Vietnamese Party and People in many fields, especially in the training and fostering of Lao international students.

He also shared that the Lao Bunpimay New Year has many similarities with Vietnam's Lunar New Year, serving as an occasion for everyone to look back on the past journey and look forward to goals and plans for the new year. On this occasion, he expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the Academy for always caring and creating favorable conditions for Lao international students to study and train. At the same time, he hoped that the teachers would continue to impart knowledge and experience, contributing to training a contingent of cadres with professional qualifications and good moral qualities, capable of taking on positions in the state apparatus, and actively contributing to the development of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Speaking at the gathering, on behalf of the Lao international students, doctoral candidate Kongkeo Lunmarla expressed deep gratitude to the Board of Management of the Academy of Public Administration and Governance for organizing a warm Bunpimay New Year, imbued with national identity, right on Vietnamese soil.

During their study and research time at the Academy, the Lao international students have always felt the dedicated care and thoughtful guidance of the teachers, along with the friendly affection, sharing, and enthusiastic help from Vietnamese students, creating a study and living environment full of meaningful connections.

On behalf of the international students, Kongkeo Lunmarla expressed the determination to continue striving in studying and training, constantly improving themselves to be worthy of the trust and love of their teachers, families, and homeland; while also contributing to cultivating and further deepening the special Vietnam-Laos friendship. On this occasion, he sent wishes for the solidarity and cooperation between the two Parties, two States, and Peoples of Vietnam and Laos to be forever enduring and increasingly fruitful.

In the warm atmosphere of the ceremony, Lao international students performed cultural numbers to welcome the traditional Bunpimay New Year and celebrate the friendship between the Parties, States, and nations of Vietnam and Laos. Along with that was the wrist-tying ceremony, an indispensable ritual in every traditional Bunpimay New Year occasion.

Some images at the ceremony: