Within the framework of the cooperation agreement between Son La Province and nine northern provinces of the Lao PDR, and implementing Plan No. 134/KH-UBND of 20 May 2025 of the Son La Provincial People’s Committee on the admission of Lao students, on 27–28 October 2025 Tay Bac University solemnly received and worked with delegations from the northern provinces of Laos and welcomed Lao students enrolling for the 2025–2026 academic year. The 62-member delegation was led by nine heads of delegation representing northern Lao provinces, including Luang Prabang, Phongsaly, Xiengkhouang, Xaysomboun, Houaphanh, Xayaboury, Luang Namtha and Oudomxay, and was accompanied by the new Lao students.
Welcoming the delegation on behalf of Tay Bac University were Dr. Do Hong Duc, Vice Rector, together with representatives of the Office of Academic Affairs; the Office of Science, Technology and International Cooperation; the Office of Quality Assurance, Inspection and Legal Affairs; the Office of Political Affairs and Student Management; the Dormitory Management Board and the Lao Student Representative Board.
The event is not only an annual activity but also a demonstration of the special friendship between Viet Nam and Laos, affirming the University’s reputation and capacity for international cooperation in training high-quality human resources for northern Laos.
Tay Bac University receives and works with the delegations from the northern provinces of the Lao PDR (Photo: Media Club)
In the 2022–2025 period, Tay Bac University admitted and trained more than 430 Lao students from nine northern provinces of Laos. In the 2025–2026 academic year alone, the University received 111 students on Son La Province scholarships: 65 undergraduates, 18 bridging-programme undergraduates, 12 master’s students and 16 Vietnamese preparatory students. The University currently manages and trains 378 Lao students in 2 master’s programmes, 25 undergraduate programmes and 24 bridging programmes. The quality of training continues to be affirmed: 95% of Lao students complete their programmes successfully and nearly 30% achieve good or excellent results. Many alumni have returned home and hold important positions in state agencies of the Lao PDR.
Tay Bac University and the delegations from the northern provinces of the Lao PDR pose for a souvenir photo (Photo: Son La College)
Tay Bac University presents gifts to the delegations (Photo: Son La College)
The University pays comprehensive attention to managing and supporting Lao students. Faculties teach rigorously and provide extra academic guidance to help students adapt quickly to studying in Vietnamese. Functional offices regularly care for students’ material and spiritual well-being: modern dormitory accommodation, periodic health check-ups, cultural and sports activities, and gifts on Lunar New Year, Bun Pi Mai (Lao New Year) and Lao National Day. As a result, Tay Bac University has truly become a “second home” for Lao students in Son La.
Speaking at the working session, the University’s leaders affirmed their determination to improve quality and expand Viet Nam–Laos educational cooperation, moving step by step towards establishing a branch campus of Tay Bac University in Laos as a centre for training, research and technology transfer serving socio-economic development in the border areas of the two countries. In the coming time, the University will increase its annual admission quota for Lao students and open new programmes in economics, tourism, information technology and high-tech agriculture to meet the human resource needs of the northern Lao provinces.
The reception of the delegations and the enrolment of Lao students for 2025–2026 not only marks a new step forward in educational cooperation but also vividly demonstrates the special friendship and steadfast solidarity between the peoples of Viet Nam and Laos. Tay Bac University will continue to serve as a bridge of knowledge, culture and development cooperation for a friendship that is “forever green and everlasting”.
PHOTOS FROM THE VISIT OF THE DELEGATIONS FROM THE NORTHERN PROVINCES OF THE LAO PDR
(Source: Office of Science, Technology and International Cooperation; Media Club – Tay Bac University)
