Soldiers and young women from a twinned unit dance to a neighboring country (Photo: Nhut Luan/People's Newspaper).

On the evening of August 19, at the barracks of Regiment 4, Division 5, Military Region 7, in Chau Thanh Commune, Tay Ninh Province, music filled the air after a day of training had come to an end. The footsteps accustomed to the training ground and military formations now moved to the distinctive rhythms of Laos and Cambodia.

The stage lit up with smiles, outstretched arms and the youthful energy of the soldiers. In that moment, geographical and cultural distances seemed to disappear, leaving only dance, joy and friendship connected through the language of music and the spirit of solidarity among Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

Delegates attend the “International Lao and Cambodian Dances” competition (Photo: Nhut Luan/People's Newspaper).

The “International Lao and Cambodian Dances” competition, combined with dances performed during group activities, brought beautiful and idealistic stories about youth, comradeship and friendship. Vietnamese soldiers, accustomed to military discipline and routines, took on a different “look.” They performed energetic and graceful movements, moved in unison, and displayed innocent smiles and enthusiastic expressions alongside young women from a twinned unit.

Through each international dance, officers and soldiers of the Vietnamese military had more opportunities to learn about and gain a deeper appreciation of the distinctive cultural life of the people of Laos and Cambodia. Although the process began with group activities, it helped make the values of solidarity and traditional friendship among the three countries more familiar and tangible in the awareness and feelings of each officer and soldier.

Soldiers enthusiastically cheer on their comrades (Photo: Nhut Luan/People's Newspaper).

In relations among the three countries, the bonds forged through history, shared sentiments and strategic interests have been strengthened through cooperation programs and high-level meetings, as well as through mutual understanding and respect among generations of people.

For the armed forces, learning about the cultures of neighboring countries carries particularly practical significance, as culture is one of the important bridges that help foster empathy, trust and understanding.

Lao and Cambodian dances have been incorporated into activities for Vietnamese soldiers in a natural and accessible way, allowing young soldiers to experience the cultures of the two neighboring countries through their own experiences and emotions. Through cultural activities, the value of friendship is conveyed in a lively form suited to the mindset and young age of soldiers.

This also helps cultivate in today's soldiers an open and proactive spirit of international integration while maintaining the qualities, character and traditions of the Vietnam People's Army.

In the field of defense diplomacy, cultural exchanges carry long-term significance. When officers and soldiers gain a better understanding of the culture, countries and people of neighboring nations, they build a stronger foundation for appropriate conduct, helping spread the image of Vietnamese service members as approachable, responsible, disciplined and committed to friendship. This contributes to deepening the close relationship among the three countries and making a practical contribution to defense diplomacy in the new situation.

A lively atmosphere at the barracks (Photo: Nhut Luan/Nhan Dan Newspaper).

Speaking after the competition, Senior Colonel Nguyen Mau Hoi, Political Commissar of Regiment 4, Division 5, said he was very pleased to see officers and soldiers confidently and enthusiastically performing the dances after their training sessions. According to him, the unit has distinctive responsibilities, with training and combat readiness as its primary missions. Therefore, appropriate cultural and artistic activities give soldiers time to relax while also creating opportunities for officers and soldiers to showcase their talents, interact and strengthen their bonds.

What made the Regiment's leadership happiest after the competition was seeing the soldiers' youthful energy, dynamism, and spirit of solidarity. Laughter, friendly handshakes and synchronized footsteps during the event created a sense of closeness and unity among officers and soldiers, contributing to a cohesive and united unit.

The competition was also a celebration of friendship (Photo: Nhut Luan/Nhan Dan Newspaper).

For Quach Huu Khoa, Squad Leader of Company 5, Battalion 2, Regiment 4, the evening was also a particularly memorable experience. He expressed his excitement and enjoyment at taking part in an activity that was both entertaining and beneficial, while helping soldiers learn more about the culture of neighboring countries. In his view, organizing such activities gives soldiers a healthy recreational outlet after training sessions while allowing them to more clearly feel the care that commanders at all levels have for their spiritual well-being.

Behind the success and distinctive beauty of the event was the attention of leaders of the Command, the Political Department of Military Region 7 and the Military Region Cultural House. In recent times, the Military Region Cultural House has organized training and instruction in international dances and dances used in group activities for officers and soldiers of Division 5 and other units within the armed forces of Military Region 7.

The vibrant colors of the competition (Photo: Nhut Luan/Nhan Dan Newspaper).

Through these practical training sessions, the dances were brought back to the units and became a lively part of the soldiers' cultural and spiritual life. The approach demonstrates innovation in organizing cultural activities at grassroots military units, using recreational activities as a means to educate, cultivate, strengthen bonds and spread the meaningful and sacred values of friendship.

At Regiment 4, cultural and artistic talent among officers and soldiers is quite diverse. Competitions and group activities provide opportunities for talents to be discovered, showcased, and further developed. Many soldiers have talents in dancing, singing, composing, organizing, and staging performances.

The competition came to an end, and the soldiers returned to their familiar daily routines at the barracks. The young soldiers remained strong and energetic as they returned to the training ground and their missions of training and combat readiness.

The melodies of Laos and Cambodia will perhaps remain as beautiful memories in the soldiers' journeys. Through them, comradeship is strengthened, knowledge of neighboring countries' cultures is broadened, and the solidarity and friendship among Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia are expressed in increasingly natural and familiar ways. This is also a beautiful image of today's soldiers: steadfast in their duties, full of youthful energy, and always ready to open their hearts to and embrace their international friends.

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