Khmer people in Soc Trang celebrate Chol Chnam Thmay

At a pagoda in Soc Trang (Photo: VNA)

Soc Trang (VNA) – Khmer people in the south and the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang in particular are celebrating their traditional New Year festival Chol Chnam Thmay which falls on April 13-16 this year more quietly this year due to the COVID-19 epidemic.

Venerable Tran Sia at Day Ta Suos pagoda in Phu My commune where over 90 percent of the population are Khmer people, said in compliance with the Prime Minister’s Directive No.16/CT-TTg, the Directive No.03 of the Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee and the dispatch No.27 of the provincial Patriotic Clergy Solidarity Association on COVID-19 prevention and control measures, the pagoda has persuaded local followers not to gather in crowds and wear masks when going to the pagoda. The pagoda also prepared hand sanitisers for visitors.

In Thanh Quoi commune, My Xuyen district where over 50 percent of the population are Khmer people, local residents also celebrated the festival in more simple rituals. They do not hold family gatherings like normal to assist with epidemic prevention.

Soc Trang province is home to more than 400,000 Khmer people./.