Towards the commemoration of the 50th National Day of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (from December 2, 1975, to December 2, 2025), the OU Help To Be Helped Club at Ho Chi Minh City Open University successfully organized the Workshop titled “Cultural Colors and Flavors of Laos”. The program created a unique space for cultural exchange, tightening the solidarity between Vietnamese students and international friends.
On the 8th of December, 2025, at Hall 601, located at the 97 Vo Van Tan Campus, the academic atmosphere became more vibrant than ever. The Workshop was not only a gift to celebrate the momentous holiday of Laos but also a bridge connecting students from many nations such as Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Mongolia, China, France, and more to gather and experience the distinctive beauty of the Land of Champa Flowers.
Vibrant and Connected Atmosphere from the Very First Minutes
The program commenced with high energy through the minigame “Truth or Dare”. The engaging challenges quickly bridged gaps, helping international and Vietnamese students integrate and share bursts of laughter together.
In the opening speech, Nhat Khanh, Vice President of the OU Help To Be Helped Club, emphasized: “The Workshop is an occasion for us to honor the enduring traditional friendship between Vietnam and Laos. This is not merely a culinary session but a space for young people to compose beautiful memories together during their academic journey at OU.”
Cultural Melodies and Emotional Intersection
The cultural intersection reached its climax through the musical performance“Cô gái Viêng Chăn” (The Girl of Vientiane). The sweet vocals of Nalisack Sadet (a Lao student) harmonizing with the Performance Team of the Club recreated an image of a gentle and hospitable Laos right in the heart of the city.
The focal point of the workshop was the culinary experience activity. Under the dedicated guidance of Lao student Manivong Namthip, groups collaborated to prepare signature dishes such as Lao papaya salad and Minced meat Larb served with sticky rice. Through each stage of preparation, attendees gained numerous memorable experiences following the program.
Beyond a mere cooking experience, this activity enabled students to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural narratives and spiritual values that Lao people entrust in each of their dishes.
Sharing Personal Experiences at the Workshop
After moments of joint preparation, the teams confidently presented their finished products. Beyond just the flavor, each dish contained profound cultural stories that the Lao students wished to convey to their international friends.
Vongvilay Phoutthasone, a Lao student, emotionally shared in Vietnamese: “I feel that this workshop is delightful. I have made many new friends from various countries. I would like to express my gratitude to the university and the Club for organizing such a meaningful program.”
The Workshop concluded with the awarding ceremony for the outstanding teams and commemorative photos beaming with smiles. The event affirmed the efforts of Ho Chi Minh City Open University and the OU Help To Be Helped Club in constructing an integrated, multicultural, and humanistic academic environment.
The “Cultural Colors” and “Flavors of Laos” lingering today will undoubtedly serve as valuable luggage contributing to further strengthening the friendship between the young generations of Vietnam and Laos specifically, and international students in general.
Article by: Nhat Khanh