In the heart of Laos’s capital, Vientiane, a quiet revolution in language and culture has been unfolding for nearly a decade. At Phat Tich Pagoda, what began as a modest initiative—free Vietnamese language classes—has blossomed into a vibrant movement, drawing both Vietnamese expatriates and Laotian locals eager to bridge the gap between their two nations through words, books, and shared experiences.
Nearly ten years ago, as reported by Vietnam News Agency, the pagoda’s Vietnamese language classes first took root, responding to a heartfelt need from students for more learning resources. It was Nguyễn Thị Thu Huyền, a Vietnamese expatriate living in Laos, who saw an opportunity. She launched the "Vietnamese Bookshelf"—a humble collection of fewer than 100 books at first, most brought by members of the local Vietnamese community. Today, that bookshelf has grown to more than 500 titles, spanning language, culture, history, geography, medicine, and science. The State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese has also contributed generously, sending rare and valuable books that have made the collection even richer and more useful for learners.
The impact of this ever-growing library is felt daily. Teachers—who are all Vietnamese volunteers living and working in Laos—often pull books from the shelves for students to read during and after class. Some students linger after lessons, eager to borrow a book to deepen their understanding or simply to expand their vocabulary. For Thatdao Santhavai, a Laotian healthcare worker and student of Vietnamese at the pagoda for about two years, the bookshelf is much more than a resource. "Reading medical books in Vietnamese not only helps me learn new vocabulary, but also adds to my professional knowledge—very helpful for my daily work," she shared with Vietnam News Agency reporters.
For Hatsady Phetvongdeuan, another Laotian student who has attended classes for over a year, the bookshelf is a treasure trove. She regularly reads from the collection to improve her Vietnamese and is grateful to the dedicated teachers: "Thanks to the teachers’ devotion, we’ve learned to read, write, and communicate with Vietnamese people." The classes and bookshelf are open to all, not just the Vietnamese community. Many Laotian participants, including government officials, have joined to boost their Vietnamese skills for work and cultural exchange. In this way, the pagoda has become a living bridge of friendship between Vietnam and Laos, connecting people through language and knowledge.
Support for this initiative extends well beyond the pagoda’s walls. During a recent working visit to Laos, a delegation from the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese, led by its chairman Nguyễn Trung Kiên, visited Phat Tich Pagoda and praised the efforts to preserve Vietnamese culture abroad. According to Vietnam News Agency, Mr. Kiên emphasized, "Reading books and promoting the Vietnamese language are among the most important factors in maintaining Vietnamese culture in overseas communities. Phat Tich Pagoda is a prime example." Since 2016, with the pagoda’s support and the community’s determination, free Vietnamese classes and the bookshelf have become intertwined activities, sparking a growing movement of Vietnamese learning and reading across Laos.
Looking ahead, Thu Huyền and her collaborators have even bigger dreams: digitizing the bookshelf. The plan is to gather the collection and upload it to social media and online platforms, making Vietnamese books accessible to expatriates and Laotians interested in the language, no matter where they live. If realized, this digital library could reach far beyond Vientiane, connecting communities in remote provinces who might otherwise have no access to such resources. But the physical bookshelf will remain, offering a welcoming space for anyone who wants to experience the joy of reading in Vietnamese at the pagoda itself.
The significance of the bookshelf extends well past its practical use. It stands as a symbol of cultural preservation, a testament to the Vietnamese saying, "As long as the language survives, so does the nation." The pagoda’s efforts embody the spirit of "living a good life and practicing good religion," nurturing not only the spiritual but also the intellectual life of the community. As Mr. Kiên put it, "The bookshelf is not just about books—it’s about a culture of reading and a spirit of lifelong learning. It’s a vivid example of preserving and developing Vietnamese identity among overseas communities." Every day, students can be seen engrossed in books after class, or animatedly discussing stories they’ve read. For them, books have become companions on the road to mastering Vietnamese and discovering Vietnamese culture. Through these pages, a love for the language is nourished, and through each lesson, the friendship between Vietnam and Laos is strengthened.
Meanwhile, across the border in Vietnam, another chapter in this story of linguistic and cultural exchange is being written. On October 4, 2025, Son La College held a ceremony marking the completion of its Vietnamese language training program for more than 200 Laotian officials and exchange students, as reported by Văn Hoá newspaper. In the 2024-2025 academic year, the college welcomed 39 officials from Northern Laos (course K15) and 168 Laotian exchange students (course K23), providing them with not only language instruction but also accommodation and meals for the nine-month duration of the course.
The program at Son La College adheres to the Vietnamese language competency framework for foreigners established by the Ministry of Education and Training. But it goes far beyond the classroom. Students participate in a range of support activities—"Saturday Connection Day," cultural performances, sports events, field trips, and explorations of local history and culture—all designed to help them practice and perfect their Vietnamese in real-life settings. By the end of the course, every student passed the Vietnamese language competency test and received a certificate, with the college awarding special certificates of merit to 30 students for outstanding academic achievement.
These efforts, both in Laos and Vietnam, highlight a powerful trend: the growing importance of language as a tool for connection, opportunity, and mutual understanding. Whether in the tranquil halls of Phat Tich Pagoda or the bustling classrooms of Son La College, Vietnamese and Laotian communities are coming together, building bridges not just between two languages, but between two peoples. The bookshelf at Phat Tich Pagoda is no longer just a cabinet of books—it’s a living symbol of cultural resilience and hope, a testament to the enduring ties between Vietnam and Laos. And as digital plans take shape and new cohorts of students graduate, this story of shared learning and friendship continues to unfold, one page at a time.
