A requiem is solemnly held for soldiers, officers and civilians killed in the recent devastating floods and landslides in central Vietnam by Vietnamese expats in Laos at Vientiane-based Phat Tich Pagoda. (Photo: VNA)Vientiane (VNA) – A requiem has been solemnly heldfor soldiers, officers and civilians killed in the recent devastating floods and landslides in central Vietnam by Vietnamese expats in Laos at Vientiane-based Phat Tich Pagoda.
The event also sought to raise funds for people affected byflooding in both countries.
This year’s severe flooding has wreaked havoc on fivecentral provinces in Vietnam while the historic flooding in 42 years has alsocaused great damage to eight districts of Laos’ central province of Savannakhet over recent days, Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung addressed theOctober 23 event.
He expressed his gratitude towards Phat Tich Pagoda andVietnamese people living in Laos for sending reliefs to affected residents inthe two countries, saying it demonstrates a Vietnamese traditional custom – “thegood leaves protect the worn-out ones” (which means people should help thosewho are not as lucky as them).
The diplomat also thanked Most Venerable Bounma Simmaphom, Acting President of the Lao Buddhist Fellowship Organisation for taking part in therequiem, illuminating the strong brotherhood between Laos and Vietnam.
Vietnamese people in Vientiane make donations to help flood-hit people in central Vietnam and Laos. (Photo: VNA)Since October 17, Phat Tich Pagoda and the association ofVietnamese people in Vientiane have raised about 200 million LAK (21,630 USD)in fund for flood-hit people in central Vietnam and Laos. Half of the money washanded over to Ambassador Hung to help those in need in Vietnam.
On the same day, the Embassy of Vietnam in South Africa alsolaunched an appeal for donations for flood survivors in the centralregion./.
The Embassy of Vietnam in South Africa organises a fundraising event for flood survivors in Vietnam on October 23. (Photo: VNA) VNA
