A delegation from the National Assembly’s Council for Ethnic Affairs on April 12 met with the Patriotic United Buddhist Association in the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu on the occasion of Khmer people’s traditional New Year festival, Chol Chnam Thmay.

The delegation, led by the council’s Vice President Danh Ut , was accompanied by provincial NA deputies and representatives of the provincial Board for Ethnic Affairs.

At the meeting, Danh Ut wished Khmer Buddhist followers a happy and joyful festival.

On the occasion, monks and nuns were briefed on the country and province’s socio-economic achievements.

The Party and State have implemented numerous preferential policies for the Khmer community, focusing on infrastructure development, housing, farmland and capital allocation for economic development.

Thanks to the assistance, Khmer people across the country and in Bac Lieu province in particular have seen their living standards improve significantly.

A representative 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, better practice their faith.

The delegation presented a gift to the association to help them enjoy a merry festival.

The same day, many provincial delegations presented gifts to 22 Khmer pagodas, retired people and families of social beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, the Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee and Fatherland Front Committee of the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho held a get-together with the Khmer community to wish them well during the festival.

At the gathering, Khmer people said they are pleased with the Party and State’s attention, which has helped many Khmer people build new homes, find jobs and access electricity and fresh water.

On the occasion, the municipal Fatherland Front Committee worked with departments, branches, local authorities and organisations to mobilise over 2,000 gifts and hundreds of millions of dong for the community’s poor households and families of social beneficiaries.

Can Tho is now home to over 5,200 Khmer households with nearly 23,000 people who are living around 12 Khmer pagodas of the Khmer Nam Tong (Theravada).-VNA