Vietnam – My second homeland
WVR - A Laotian shares memorable memories of Vietnam and the reasons why he affirms that Vietnam is indeed his second homeland.
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| Vannasouk Phommachan, Central Office of Laos (sixth from the right) at a Vietnam-Laos bilateral event. (Photo: Courtesy by author) |
Unforgettable years
I am Laotian, born and raised in Dongpaleb village, Chanthabuly district, Vientiane capital, in a family where my father worked in the military and my mother was a teacher. Laos is the homeland where I was nurtured and grew up, but during my studies and training, Vietnam became my second homeland, deeply attached. Here, I would like to share memorable memories of Vietnam and the reasons why I affirm that Vietnam is indeed my second homeland.
With the support of my parents, I studied until the end of 11th grade and passed the entrance exam to the National University of Laos. I was always aware of the value of knowledge from my family's foundation. This encouragement motivated me to continuously strive and earn a scholarship to study in Vietnam. I came to the field of diplomacy quite by chance, following the suggestion of classmates. At that time, I did not fully understand the importance of the field I chose, but I soon felt the sacred meaning in the work I would be associated with.
Vietnamese teachers taught me a lot of knowledge, laying an important foundation that helped me complete future tasks. I studied at the Friendship Cultural Supplementary School for one year (2001-2002) and then at the Academy of International Relations for four years (2002-2006). The time spent studying and training in Vietnam helped me accumulate a lot of knowledge about international relations as well as Vietnamese language and culture, while also allowing me to live in the peaceful and friendly atmosphere of beautiful Vietnam. From the teachers to the printing shop workers, street tea vendors, motorbike taxi drivers, and shopkeepers, everyone was friendly and cherished Laotian brothers. I almost never felt any distance or discrimination.
From 2014 to 2016, I had the opportunity to return to Vietnam to pursue a master's program at the Diplomatic Academy. During this time, I focused on researching the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam and was honoured to participate in an intensive training course organized by the FOSET Center.
The instructors were experienced experts in the field of diplomacy, such as former Party Central Committee Secretary, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan; President of the Diplomatic Academy Dang Dinh Quy, and ambassadors who had just completed their terms and returned to Vietnam. This knowledge helped me understand more deeply the great relationship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam, which President Ho Chi Minh and President Kaysone Phomvihane laid the foundation for, inherited by successive generations of leaders. Once again, I experienced the sincere and close affection of the Vietnamese people.
The most impressive memory during my master's years was participating directly in organizing important celebrations for Laotian students at the school, such as the traditional Bunpimay New Year of Laos and Laos National Day. Laotian students always received attention from the Academy's leadership, teachers, and Vietnamese friends, who participated in exchanges, facilitated, and congratulated on Laos' special days.
Through the learning process, I and other Laotian students had the opportunity to introduce Vietnamese friends to the cultural traditions and customs of our country. A special memory I always cherish is the meeting and introduction of cuisine with Mr. Vu Khoan and the teachers at the Diplomatic Academy at a Laotian restaurant in Cau Giay, Hanoi.
In 2007, I was recruited to work at the Central Office of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. Throughout my work, I frequently took on tasks related to cooperation with Vietnam. Besides my professional work, I also participated in interpreting, serving delegations of leaders and department-level officials of the Central Office of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
Driven by special affection, I always strive to provide the best support for delegations from the Central Office of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Additionally, I have had the honour of interpreting during meetings with the General Secretary and the Standing Committee of the Secretariat of the 8th, 9th, and 10th terms.
Notably, I once interpreted during a friendly meal in 2012 when Lao leaders hosted Colonel Nguyen Xuan Mai, a former Vietnamese volunteer soldier in Laos. There, Lao leaders affirmed that Laos and Vietnam are brotherly countries with a special relationship, sharing the same battlefield, and expressed deep gratitude for the significant contributions of former Vietnamese volunteer soldiers, including Comrade Nguyen Xuan Mai. Moved by the sincere sentiments, Comrade Mai was brought to tears.
For me, those shares hold special meaning, contributing to shaping my mindset and deeper understanding of the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.
From 2007 to 2014, I accompanied the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Office delegation on many visits and working trips to Vietnam. Each time I met with comrades at the Central Office of the Communist Party of Vietnam, I felt a familial bond, with both sides always exchanging issues in a spirit of mutual trust and without any distance.
From 2016 to 2023, after completing my master's degree, I returned to work at the Central Office of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, continuing to have the honour of interpreting during activities welcoming Vietnamese delegations, thereby gaining more opportunities to contribute to the Laos-Vietnam relationship.
I also participated in compiling the Year of Friendship Solidarity Chronicle in Khammouane Province, depicting the solidarity between President Souphanouvong and President Ho Chi Minh, along with the book Traditional Cooperation Relations between the Two Central Offices of Laos-Vietnam. In November 2024, the chronicle was published and handed over in Laos; last May, the book on cooperation relations between the two Central Offices was officially published in Vietnam.
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| Vannasouk Phommachan, Central Office of Laos at the ceremony announcing and releasing the chronicle celebrating the Year of Friendship Solidarity Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam. (Photo: Courtesy by author) |
Deeply bonded, profound affection
For me, the bond with Vietnam is also a matter of blood. At the end of 2023, when I fell seriously ill and could not be treated in Laos, I decided to go to Vietnam for surgery. Thanks to the dedicated support of comrades from the Central Office of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the medical team at Viet Duc Friendship Hospital, the surgery was successful. Throughout the treatment and recovery process, I received attentive and heartfelt care.
The most profound impression I had was when meeting doctors Xuan and Luan, I felt completely at ease due to the dedication and solid expertise of the medical team. In fact, from admission to discharge, I hardly felt any pain. After the successful surgery, many units from the Central Office of the Communist Party of Vietnam visited, sharing that they were very worried when they heard about my illness and were extremely happy when the surgery was successful.
Thus, my memories of Vietnam are intertwined with gratitude. The country and its people not only provided me with knowledge, a career, comrades, brothers, and friends but also helped me overcome illness, regain health, and continue my work.
My memories are a small and concrete testament to affirm that "The special friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Laos, cultivated by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane, and President Souphanouvong, is a precious asset of the two nations, a decisive factor in the revolutionary success of the peoples of both countries".
The country and people of Vietnam are very hospitable and always hold special affection for the Laotian people, with Vietnamese comrades always remembering President Ho Chi Minh's words: "Helping friends is helping ourselves".
Therefore, I can affirm: Vietnam is my second homeland. I will always strive to make a small contribution to strengthening and elevating the Laos-Vietnam relationship, contributing to the development of both countries, spreading practical examples so that more people understand, appreciate, and preserve the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam – an invaluable common asset of the two nations.
