EduAsiaNews, Viet Nam – The University of Danang (UD), in coordination with the Da Nang Department of Foreign Affairs, held a conference on August 14, 2026, to review the management and training of Lao international students during the 2015–2025 period and discuss the implementation of the Joint Plan for training Lao international students for 2026–2030.
The conference was attended by Mr. Anousone Douangxayalath, Deputy Consul General of the Lao Consulate General in Da Nang; Mr. Khanthaly Khamphilavong, First Secretary in charge of Student Affairs and Culture at the Lao Consulate General in Da Nang; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thanh Bac, Vice President of UD; and Mr. Le Minh Tuong, Deputy Director of the Da Nang Department of Foreign Affairs.
Also in attendance were Mr. Tran Hieu, Director of the Center for International Cooperation Development and External Services; Senior Lieutenant Colonel Le Anh Tien, Deputy Head of the External Security Division of the Da Nang City Police; representatives from the Internal Political Security and Immigration Management Departments; representatives of the leadership boards of UD’s member universities and affiliated training institutions; relevant UD departments and offices; and representatives of several educational institutions in Da Nang.
In his opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thanh Bac emphasized that UD has consistently attached great importance to international cooperation, particularly its longstanding partnership with Laos. He affirmed that training human resources for Laos remains one of UD’s key political and diplomatic priorities.
During the 2015–2025 period, UD provided educational opportunities for thousands of Lao international students at various levels, from Vietnamese-language preparatory programs and undergraduate studies to postgraduate education. UD’s member universities and affiliated institutions have provided favorable conditions, scholarships, and a range of academic, cultural, and community activities to help Lao students improve their Vietnamese proficiency, pursue their studies with confidence, integrate into the local community, and participate in cultural exchange.
According to Mr. Le Minh Tuong, Deputy Director of the Da Nang Department of Foreign Affairs, the city awarded scholarships to 690 officials and students from southern provinces of Laos during 2021–2025, many of whom pursued their studies at UD.
Under the 2026–2030 Joint Plan, greater emphasis will be placed on quality rather than quantity, with training programs designed to better address the practical needs of Lao partners. The plan provides for an average of approximately 20 scholarships per year for each of Da Nang’s partner provinces. The city will also review and adjust support mechanisms for Lao international students as necessary.
Mr. Anousone Douangxayalath, Deputy Consul General of the Lao Consulate General in Da Nang, expressed his appreciation to the city of Da Nang, UD, and its higher education institutions for their continued support in training high-quality human resources to contribute to Laos’ development in the fields of economics, culture, and education.
At the conference, representatives from UD’s member universities—including the University of Economics, the University of Science and Education, and the University of Foreign Language Studies—along with representatives from other educational institutions in Da Nang, shared practical experiences and discussed challenges in managing and educating Lao international students. They also proposed solutions to strengthen coordination and improve training quality in the coming period.
In concluding the conference, UD and the Da Nang Department of Foreign Affairs identified several priorities for 2026–2030, including strengthening Vietnamese-language training at the entry level, improving scholarship support mechanisms, and establishing a four-party coordination framework involving educational institutions, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Da Nang City Police, and the Lao Consulate General.
Representatives of the Lao Consulate General, Da Nang City Police, universities, and other participating institutions also agreed to strengthen legal education and awareness among Lao international students; provide greater support for Vietnamese-language development and the use of technology in learning; and accelerate digital transformation in residence management and immigration procedures.
The agreed priorities reaffirm UD’s commitment to academic excellence and international cooperation, as well as Da Nang’s continued support for educational cooperation and high-quality human-resource development.
More broadly, the initiative is expected to contribute to strengthening the longstanding friendship and special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos, helping ensure that the relationship remains strong and sustainable for generations to come.
