Khánh An

Choby Vongxay is a senior-year student majoring in International Commerce and Transportation at the University of Transport and Communications (UTC). He has been studying in Việt Nam for the last five years.

Before moving to Việt Nam, Choby was only familiar with Laotian folk dancing. Since secondary school, he has been learning Lao dance and performing regularly.

Photo of Choby Vongxay at the Laos students camp at the University of Transport and Communications' Student Day. Photo courtesy of Choby Vongxay.

Choby first saw Vietnamese traditional dancing during a performance from other students at a campus festival.

It was love at first sight for Choby. “I was immediately astonished by how impressed and inspired Vietnamese dance made me feel.”

Soon after, Choby connected with fellow students who enjoyed Vietnamese dance and became friends with them. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it wasn't until 2022 that Choby had an opportunity to practise and eventually perform Việt Nam’s traditional dance professionally.

Having sought out a new challenge, even a new love, Choby opted to join UTC's Art Club as one of the founding members.

In less than a year since its establishment the club has grown steadily while Choby and the other members of the club have forged meaningful connections.

They participated in the UTC's art competition and won the first prize, and more recently they took second place in the VWA's Got Talent competition. They also took part in several university concerts.

“Both Vietnamese and Laotian dances have their own unique features. Laotian folk dance such as Lamvong focuses on flexibility and emotional expression. Regarding the Việt Nam’s dance, it requires strength and endurance for men because we have to lead our female co-performers. I have to pay close attention to my memory to keep up with the dance sequences,” Choby said.

Choby has received the nickname ‘big brother’ from junior members of the club as a result of his tireless dedication.

“Choby is not only a skilled professional dancer, but he's also like a warm older brother to us," said a member of UTC Art Club. "Choby helps us a lot, setting up a spot for us to nap while we perform and preparing us quick meals when we're hungry. Choby completely fits the traits of honesty, gentleness, and loving that members frequently use to describe Lao people.”

Choby Vongxay performing Vietnamese dance with the UTC Art Club. Photo courtesy of Choby Vongxay.

In addition to schoolwork and dancing, Choby also actively engages in numerous extracurricular activities, especially for the Lao students community. He is the leader of the Lao student delegation at the University of Transport and Communications and also participates in many activities arranged by the Lao Embassy in Việt Nam.

Sharing about his life in Việt Nam, Choby feels extremely proud of himself to be here and overjoyed with his experience: “I receive a lot of warmth and support from the Vietnamese professors and students at my university. Even the Vietnamese people outside the university grounds are warm towards me.”

“I've learned a lot about Việt Nam and the Vietnamese people. The two characteristics of Vietnamese people that I admire the most are their optimism and diligence in every aspect of life,” he said.

Talking about the next chapter of his life after graduating, Choby shared with Việt Nam News that he will return to Laos and pursue his career as a transportation engineer.

“I will take the experience and knowledge I have learned in Việt Nam to develop my homeland,” he said. “Dancing will still be an inevitable part of my life. I will definitely look for others who are as passionate about Vietnamese dance as I am so that we can team up and perform.” VNS.