At the ceremony to celebrate the traditional New Year festival of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – A ceremony was heldat Pho Minh Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh City, on April 11 to celebrate the traditionalNew Year festival of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.
The event was organised by the HCM City Union ofFriendship Organisations (HUFO) and the board for international Buddhism of theVietnam 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’sExecutive Council Most Venerable Thich Thien Tam, along with entrepreneurs andstudents of the countries in HCM City.
Addressing the event, HUFO Chairman Huynh MinhThien said the ceremony to mark the traditional festival, known as Chol ChnamThmay in Cambodia, Bunpimay in Lao, Thingyan in Myanmar and Songkran inThailand, aims to enhance mutual understanding between Vietnam and neighbouringcountries, along with the nations’ cultural exchange and multifacetedcooperation.
He stressed that Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos,Myanmar and Thailand are members of the ASEAN Community, and they have had muchcooperation and mutual support over the past years. People of the fivecountries have stood side by side in the fights for national independence inthe past and national development at present. They have also been strivingtogether to build an ASEAN Community of peace, stability, cooperation andprosperity.
Thai Consul General to HCM City UreeratRatanaprukse shared the importance of the traditional festival to people of thefour countries, adding that the ceremony helps demonstrate solidarity among thefive nations.
The event featured the Buddha bathing ritual andperformances of traditional songs and dances of the countries.-VNA
VNA
