The Party and State have continued promulgating numerous preferential policies to improve the material and spiritual lives of Khmer people and other ethnic minority groups.

The assertion was made by Vice Chairman of the Government’s Committee for Ethnic Affairs Son Phuoc Hoan when he met with the Patriotic United Buddhist Association in the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu on April 13.

The meeting was held ahead of Khmer people’s traditional New Year festival, Chol Chnam Thmay, which takes place from April 14-16.

Monks and nuns were briefed on national socio-economic achievements as well as the positive changes in the lives of Khmer compatriots.

Representatives from the association expressed their gratitude to the State and Party for their assistance, and said they will, together with monks, nuns and Khmer Buddhist followers, well effectuate the State’s polices, contributing to provincial development.

The same day, Senior Lieutenant General Tran Phi Ho, Deputy Head of the Steering Committee for the Southwestern Region, visited and presented gifts to monks in Toa Sen, Go Xoai and Hanh Phuc Tang pagodas.

Ho praised the efforts exerted by Khmer people in the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long to overcome difficulties to improve their lives.

He affirmed that the Party, State and local authorities have implemented a number of incentives to support Khmer people reduce poverty and improve economic development.

Representatives of pagodas committed to working with local authorities to promote production and improve living standards for Khmer people.

Earlier, a delegation from the Southwestern Region Steering Committee met with the Patriotic United Buddhist Association in the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang to extend its best wishes to Khmer people.

Meanwhile, Khmer people in the southern province of An Giang welcomed the traditional Chol Chnam Thmay festival with joy and happiness.

People flocked to pagodas to pray for peace and success.

An Giang is home to over 110,000 Khmer people living in Chau Thanh, Chau Phu, Thoai Son, Tri Ton and Tinh Bien districts.-VNA