A Vietnamese class for Lao women in Quang Tri Province
The class, which is co-organised by the Women's Union and the Border Guard Station of Ba Tang Commune, aims at helping Lao women better adapt to life in Vietnam after marrying locals.
Vice chairwoman of the Ba Tang Communal Women's Union, Ho Thi Meng, is one of the teachers in the class. She said that this was a vital way to help Lao women settle in the area.
"Most of those women can speak some Vietnamese and the language of the local Pa Co ethnic group," Meng said. "However, they can’t read and write the language, which has caused lots of difficulties for them in everyday life. We've decided to open this class as we saw the need."
Captain Ho Xuan Le from the Ba Tang Border Guard Station said that the women were eager to study and many of them were able to speak well.
"Over 175 Lao women have attended the class since it opened last year," Le said. "We're planning to open more of these classes in neighbouring areas to help more Lao women."
One woman, Binh Bong, said that she had become more confident about participating in local community life since attending the class.
“It's now much easier for me when shopping or meeting others," she said. "I’ll continue studying so that I can find a suitable job to support my family here."
