Vietnamese expats in Laos work to strengthen solidarity

Vientiane (VNA) – Representatives of the Vietnamese people in Laos on January 28 looked back on their activities in 2017, sharing the view that the community did to strengthen their solidarity and reinforce the two countries’ special friendship and solidarity.

The meeting in Vientiane saw the presence of Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Ba Hung, Chairman of the Association of Vietnamese people in Laos Nguyen Duy Trung, and representatives of 12 municipal and provincial chapters of the association.

They highlighted their active performance last year, including helping expatriates to make personal papers, welcoming Vietnamese leaders to Laos, and making donations to support residents and soldiers in Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago, flood victims in the two countries, along with Agent Orange victims and people with disadvantages.

Participants said those activities helped the Vietnamese community in Laos strengthen their solidarity while contributing to the special friendship and solidarity of the two countries.

They also admitted shortcomings in the association’s operations such as failing to fully understand expatriates’ aspirations, lacking concrete plans on activities, and having unspecified working regulations.

The meeting also paid attention to the teaching and learning of Vietnamese language among Vietnamese children, noting a shortage of experienced teachers, schools, and textbooks.

They agreed that the community will cooperate with the Vietnamese Embassy to consolidate Vietnamese organisations, increase coordination with Laos’s relevant agencies, and work with the Ministry of Education and Training and relating sides to soon complete textbooks on Vietnamese language.-VNA