Vietnamese Laotian Hue Lee enjoys a good life on campus in Xi'an. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Things are becoming easier and easier for Lee, especially the change of food. "People in Laos prefer soups, and when young people get together, they would share beers," Lee says. "But it's OK; now roujiamo (meat burger) is my favorite."

Asked about their impression of China after a year of study, both answered immediately. "The Chinese are warm and friendly," Linh says. "Since my first day in China, their friendliness and concern for foreigners impressed me a great deal."

When it comes to the future, they have different ideas. Lee plans to return to his homeland to find work as a computer engineer, but Linh plans to stay on in China.

"The Vietnamese and Chinese don't really know each other very well, so I want to become a messenger. My dream is to build a bridge between China and Vietnam. I believe we will know each other much better in the future."

From Nov 12 to 14, President Xi Jinping made a state visit to Vietnam and Laos, after attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Vietnam's Da Nang on Nov 10 and 11. The news made Linh and Lee happy.

"Laos and China are old friends," says Lee. "Our friendship has a firm foundation. There are many Chinese working in Laos, and this has brought about great development in my country's economy."

Last year, China started construction of a high-speed railway from Yunnan province to Vientiane, the Laos capital.

Linh says that the relationship between Vietnam and China is important. She also hopes that more Vietnamese will learn more about the country from her "Chinese story".

Cui Kejia and Zhao Yang contributed to the story.