29/12/2025
The Congress was attended and directed by Comrade Trinh Tuan Sinh, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Fatherland Front Committee, and Chairman of the Thanh Hoa Union of Friendship Organizations; Comrade Le Quang Hung, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Vice Chairman of the Thanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee; along with representatives of provincial departments and agencies.
Hong Duc University participated in the Congress with a full delegation led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Thi Mai, Vice President of the University. Within the framework of the Congress, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Chi Thanh, Standing Member of the Party Committee and Vice President of Hong Duc University, delivered a keynote presentation entitled “Promoting the Role of Hong Duc University’s Chapter in Education and Training for Lao Students.”
Overview of Delegates Attending the Congress
The presentation highlighted that the special Vietnam–Laos friendship is a rare, loyal, and enduring relationship, in which education and training are identified as long-term and sustainable pillars of cooperation. Training Lao students is not only a professional responsibility but also a political mission, reflecting the University’s role in people-to-people diplomacy, particularly in the cooperative relationship between Thanh Hoa Province and Houaphanh Province of the Lao PDR.
From practical implementation, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Chi Thanh emphasized that Hong Duc University’s Chapter has effectively served as a bridge between the University and functional agencies of Thanh Hoa Province and the Lao PDR in receiving, managing, educating, and training Lao students. The University focuses on Vietnamese language training based on the six-level Vietnamese language proficiency framework, supports students in selecting suitable majors, and pays close attention to their material and spiritual well-being, accommodation, healthcare, and full implementation of relevant policies. During the 2020–2025 period, Hong Duc University trained nearly 250 Lao students in various fields. Many graduates have returned to Laos and successfully applied their knowledge, making positive contributions to the socio-economic development of Houaphanh Province, thereby further strengthening the friendship between Thanh Hoa and Houaphanh, as well as between Vietnam and Laos.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Chi Thanh, Member of the Standing Committee and Vice President of Hong Duc University, Presenting a Paper at the Congress
In addition to professional training, the presentation underscored the importance of educating political awareness, ethics, lifestyle, and fostering Vietnam–Laos friendship through cultural and sports activities, visits to historical sites, and exchanges between Lao students, Vietnamese students, and local communities. These activities help Lao students gain a deeper understanding of Vietnamese culture and people, and quickly integrate into the learning and living environment.
Looking ahead, Hong Duc University will continue to promote Vietnam–Laos educational cooperation in a more flexible and modern manner. The University plans to research and develop online Vietnamese language courses combined with appropriate assessment and certification to support Lao students before they come to Vietnam. It will also enhance cultural exchange and experiential activities, diversify extracurricular programs, expand connections among chapters and training institutions hosting Lao students through seminars and workshops, and strengthen cooperation with enterprises and partners operating in Laos. These efforts aim to provide Lao students with practical experience and suitable employment opportunities after graduation, further affirming Hong Duc University’s role in human resource training and in nurturing the special Vietnam–Laos friendship.
Alongside Hong Duc University’s presentation, the Congress received many valuable contributions from other delegates, focusing on solutions to improve the Association’s effectiveness in the new term, innovate operational methods, expand cultural and educational exchanges, and attract greater participation from young people and local communities in people-to-people diplomacy activities.
Delegation of Hong Duc University Taking a Commemorative Photo with Leaders of Thanh Hoa Province
With a strong sense of democracy and responsibility, the Congress elected the Executive Committee of the Vietnam–Laos Friendship Association of Thanh Hoa Province for the 2025–2030 term, consisting of 38 members. Comrade Mai Van Hai, Deputy Head of the Thanh Hoa National Assembly Delegation and Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial Fatherland Front Committee, was elected Chairman of the Association. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Chi Thanh, Vice President of Hong Duc University, and Mr. Nguyen Nhu Tu, Head of the Chapter of Vietnamese Volunteer Soldiers and Military Experts Who Assisted Laos – Thanh Hoa, were elected Vice Chairpersons of the Association.
At the conclusion of the Congress, delegates and guests acknowledged the significant contributions of the Association in the previous term and expressed strong confidence in a dynamic and innovative new term, with many effective activities to further consolidate and elevate the Vietnam–Laos friendship toward sustainable cooperation for a shared future.