At the ceremony to celebrate the traditional New Year festival of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – A ceremony was held at Pho Minh Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh City, on April 11 to celebrate the traditional New Year festival of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.
The event was organised by the HCM City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) and the board for international Buddhism of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)’s chapter in HCM City.
It saw the presence of the four countries’ consuls general to HCM City, Vice President of the VBS Central Committee’s Executive Council Most Venerable Thich Thien Tam, along with entrepreneurs and students of the countries in HCM City.
Addressing the event, HUFO Chairman Huynh Minh Thien said the ceremony to mark the traditional festival, known as Chol Chnam Thmay in Cambodia, Bunpimay in Lao, Thingyan in Myanmar and Songkran in Thailand, aims to enhance mutual understanding between Vietnam and neighbouring countries, along with the nations’ cultural exchange and multifaceted cooperation.
He stressed that Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand are members of the ASEAN Community, and they have had much cooperation and mutual support over the past years. People of the five countries have stood side by side in the fights for national independence in the past and national development at present. They have also been striving together to build an ASEAN Community of peace, stability, cooperation and prosperity.
Thai Consul General to HCM City Ureerat Ratanaprukse shared the importance of the traditional festival to people of the four countries, adding that the ceremony helps demonstrate solidarity among the five nations.
The event featured the Buddha bathing ritual and performances of traditional songs and dances of the countries.-VNA
VNA
