On the afternoon of September 23, 2025, the Department of Education and Training of Điện Biên province held a spirited opening ceremony for its latest Vietnamese language training course. The program, designed for exchange students from the three northern provinces of Laos—Luông-pha-bang, U-đôm-xay, and Phông-sa-lỳ—marks the start of the 2025-2026 academic year and continues a tradition of cross-border educational cooperation that has flourished for over two decades.
According to reports from Báo Văn Hóa and ĐBP, this year’s course welcomes either 41 or 42 students (the figure varies slightly between official sources) who will spend the next ten months at Điện Biên’s Vocational Education - Continuing Education Center. Their mission? To master Vietnamese across four core skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—while also immersing themselves in the local culture and educational environment.
This initiative is more than just a language class; it’s a central pillar of a broader policy aimed at deepening ties between Điện Biên province and its Lao neighbors. Since 2003, Điện Biên has proactively partnered with the northern provinces of Laos in a range of sectors, but education and training have remained at the heart of this collaboration. Over the past 20 years, nearly 1,000 students and officials from these Lao provinces have traveled to Điện Biên to improve their professional qualifications and political understanding—an investment that both sides see as crucial for regional development and stability.
Vice Chairman of Điện Biên People’s Committee, Vừ A Bằng, underscored the importance of this ongoing cooperation at the ceremony. “To ensure the success of the Vietnamese language training course, the Vocational Education - Continuing Education Center must thoroughly prepare accommodation, study, living conditions, and policies for the Lao exchange students,” he stated, as reported by ĐBP. He also called on teachers to “strictly implement the curriculum and teaching plans according to the Department of Education and Training’s directives,” while encouraging them to innovate their teaching methods and ramp up cultural exchange activities, such as art, sports, and field trips.
These aren’t just empty words. The province is currently finalizing a new set of policy amendments designed to further support the training and integration of Lao students. The aim is to create the most favorable conditions possible for these young people, many of whom are facing the twin challenges of studying far from home and overcoming a language barrier. “We are perfecting the issuance of amended policies to support human resource training cooperation with northern Laos provinces,” Vừ A Bằng emphasized, as quoted by Báo Văn Hóa.
The structure of the course itself is rigorous and comprehensive. From September 2025 through July 2026, students will receive intensive instruction in Vietnamese, with teachers expected to not only follow the official curriculum but also to monitor each student’s progress according to the Vietnamese language competency framework for foreigners. This framework, regulated by the Ministry of Education and Training, evaluates proficiency across six levels and is designed to ensure that graduates can function effectively in Vietnamese academic and professional environments.
At the end of the course, students must participate in a standardized language proficiency test. Passing this exam is a critical milestone, as it opens the door to further studies or professional opportunities in Vietnam. The stakes are high, but the support network is robust. Teachers are urged to “innovate teaching methods and monitor students’ progress according to the Vietnamese language competency framework,” according to Báo Văn Hóa, while the center itself is tasked with providing everything from quality accommodation and meals to extracurricular activities that help students practice their Vietnamese in real-world settings.
But the benefits of this program go both ways. While Lao students gain valuable language skills and cultural familiarity, Điện Biên province strengthens its own capacity for international cooperation. The province has even sent its own students to study at Su-pha-nu-vông University in Laos and has provided Lao language training for local officials, further deepening the ties between the two regions.
One distinctive feature of the program is its emphasis on cultural exchange. Beyond language lessons, students are encouraged to participate in art performances, sports competitions, and field visits. These activities not only improve language proficiency but also foster friendships and mutual understanding—key ingredients for lasting regional cooperation. “Increase cultural exchange activities such as art, sports, and practical visits to enhance Vietnamese language skills for Lao students,” reads the official guidance reported by ĐBP.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the dedication of teachers and administrators. To recognize these efforts, the Department of Education and Training awarded certificates of merit to three individuals who excelled in managing and teaching Vietnamese to Lao students during the 2024-2025 academic year. It’s a small but meaningful gesture that highlights the human side of international cooperation—one built not just on policy, but on personal commitment and hard work.
Looking ahead, the partnership between Điện Biên and the northern provinces of Laos shows no sign of slowing down. Both sides are committed to continuing their collaboration through at least 2030, with plans to expand and refine the training programs based on lessons learned. The goal is clear: to create a new generation of professionals who are not only bilingual but also bicultural, capable of navigating the complexities of a rapidly changing region.
As Vice Chairman Vừ A Bằng reminded students and staff alike, success will require discipline, resilience, and a willingness to overcome obstacles. “Lao students must strictly comply with Vietnamese law and the regulations of the Vocational Education - Continuing Education Center; actively study and train, enhance communication to improve Vietnamese language skills; overcome difficulties, surmount language barriers, and strive for high results in study and training,” he urged, according to Báo Văn Hóa.
The message is clear: language is more than just a tool for communication—it’s a bridge between cultures, a pathway to opportunity, and, perhaps most importantly, a foundation for peace and prosperity in the region. With nearly 1,000 alumni already making their mark and another cohort just beginning their journey, the future of Vietnamese-Lao cooperation looks brighter than ever.
