Top officials of the Steering Committee for the Southwestern Region on April 7 congratulated and presented gifts to Khmer Buddhist followers in the southern city of Can Tho as their traditional New Year festival, Chol Chnam Thmay, approaches.

They were also joined by top local officials during the visits to the local chapter of the Patriotic United Buddhist Association, the Academy of Khmer Theravada Buddhism and several pagodas.

Deputy head of the committee’s standing board Nguyen Phong Quang said he hopes the Buddhist followers and Khmer people will offer their helping hand to Can Tho on its development path.

The same day, member of the committee To Minh Gioi also handed over gifts to needy families and pagodas based in the southern province of Vinh Long, wishing them a joyful festival.

On the occasion, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan sent a letter congratulating Khmer ethnic groups.

He said he hopes they will contribute more to the great national unity for the sake of their prosperity and wellbeing.-VNA