(VOVworld) – On Saturday, Khmer people and Buddhist monks participated in traditional New Year rituals at the Candaransi pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City to express gratitude to their ancestors.

Deputy PM Vu Van Ninh at a gathering of religious dignitaries and policy beneficiaries of Khmer ethnic people in the southern region. (Photo: Duy Khuong/VNA)

Pham Dung, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and Chairman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, congratulated Khmer people on their traditional festival and spoke highly of Chol Chnam Thmay festive activities which, he said, will help preserve their traditional identities.

Dung noted that Khmer ethnic minorities have put their trust in Party and State policies and joined hands with local authorities in national development and defense.

A gathering was held the same day in Kien Giang province with the participation of local authorities, representatives of Khmer policy beneficiary households, and religious dignitaries.

In Bac Ninh province, the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association organized a program to welcome Chol Chnam Thmay traditional New Year for Cambodian students who are studying in Vietnam and sponsored by Vietnamese families.

Chol Chnam Thmay, taking place from April 14-16 this year, is one of the most important festivals for the Khmer people. It lasts three days (four days in leap years) and is traditionally held in a pagoda.