A delegation from the Vietnam Fatherland Front, led by its Vice President Le Ba Trinh, paid visits to the monks at Prek On Dot Pagoda and the Khmer people of the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang on September 8 to express congratulatory wishes on the occasion of the Sene Dolta Festival 2014.

The delegation presented gifts to the Most Venerable Duong Nhon, Vice President of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s Executive Council and head of the Soc Trang Buddhist Sangha’s Executive Board, as well as to Buddhist followers in the locality.

The Most Venerable Duong Nhon, who is also head of Prek On Dot Pagoda, briefed the delegation on the improvements made to the lives of Khmer Buddhists in the locality in particular, and the province’s Khmer in general. Khmer culture and religious sites have received attention from provincial authorities and agencies.

Trinh extended his greetings to the Most Venerable Duong Nhon, the pagoda’s monks and the Khmer people, wishing them a happy festive season.

He called on them to join local authorities’ efforts to carry out the national solidarity policy, promote national solidarity, prevent waste, and build a prosperous homeland.

The Sene Dolta Festival is one of the largest annual Khmer festivals, along with Chol Chnam Thmay (New Year) and Ooc Oom Bok, a festival to thank the Moon for good harvests.

It is held from the 30th day of the eighth lunar month to the second day of the ninth lunar month each year, and it brings Khmer people together to pay tribute to their ancestors and celebrate with traditional songs and dance after a hard working year.-VNA