Khmer Buddhist monks, nuns and students living in Ho Chi Minh City gathered at Candaransi pagoda in district 3 on April 10 to celebrate their upcoming traditional New Year festival, Chol Chnam Thmay.

They partook in traditional rituals such as praying for peace and Buddha statue cleansing, said Most Venerable Danh Lung, member of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha executive board.

He added that his pagoda will also present offerings to 300 monks, hold a sermon on Buddhist teachings and a requiem for heroic martyrs and flood victims.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Pham Dung expressed hope that the Khmer community will continue to uphold their sense of solidarity to contribute more to the nation.

The same day, Deputy Standing Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyen Van Dua met with staff of the Lao Consulate General in the city, wishing them happiness and success on the occasion of their New Year festival, Bun Pi May.

Director of the municipal Department of External Affairs Nguyen Hong Linh also conveyed his New Year wishes while meeting with staff of the Ho Chi Minh City-based Cambodian Consulate General.-VNA