Sok Daret, Consul General of Cambodia in Ho Chi Minh City bathes the Buddha statue, a ritual of the traditional New Year festival of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand, Photo: VNA

Bunpimay, Songkran, Chol Chhnam Thmay, and Thingyang - the traditional new year festivals of Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar, were celebrated at ceremonies in Ho Chi Minh City, the central province of Thua Thien-Hue and Da Nang City, reported local news agencies.

The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations (HUFO) in coordination with the International Department of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)’s Chapter in the city jointly hosted the event in Pho Minh Pagoda on April 11.

The ceremony saw the presence of representatives from the consulates-general of the four countries in HCM City, the municipal Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, the municipal Committee for Overseas Vietnamese, and the countries’ entrepreneurs and students.

The traditional New Year festival is known as Chol Chnam Thmay in Cambodia, Bunpimay in Laos, Thingyan in Myanmar, and Songkran in Thailand.

Most Venerable Thich Thien Tam, vice president of the Executive Council of the VBS and vice chairman of the VBS's Chapter in HCM City, said the traditional New Year of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand reflects the similarities in culture and religious practices among the countries, adding that it is helpful in strengthening the five nations’ solidarity in their development efforts and in ASEAN Community building.

Tam sent his wish of blessings to staff of the Consulates General and the communities of people of Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar in Vietnam, expressing his hope that they will join hands to overcome difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, thus achieving happiness, peace and greater achievements.

Wiraka Mudhitaporn, Consul General of Thailand in HCM City bathes the Buddha statue. Photo: VNA

Echoing that view, Wiraka Mudhitaporn, Consul General of Thailand in HCM City, on behalf of the consulate generals of the countries in Vietnam, expressed her joy to attend the celebration, and her impression of the thoughtfulness and interest of the municipal authorities and people in neighbouring cultures.

The ceremony helps bring the five countries’ people closer together and also demonstrates their solidarity and unity, she stressed.

Addressing the celebration, President of HUFO’s Vietnam - Southeast Asia Friendship Association Phan Thi Hong Xuan said the ceremony aims to further promote mutual understanding, cultural exchange, and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam, including HCM City, and the four neighboring countries, and helping to stimulate post-pandemic tourism demand.

It also demonstrates the community responsibility of the countries in joining hands to build a substantial ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, Xuan said.

Art performance in HCM City. Photo: VNA

During the event, participants practiced traditional rituals of the festivals, including Buddha statue bathing and incense offering.

In the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, about 400 Lao students gathered on April 10 night to celebrate Bunpimay festival, jointly held by the Thua Thien Hue College of Pedagogy, the Hue University and the provincial Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association.

The celebration opened with an art performance programme introducing traditional culture, costumes and the country and people of Lao ethnic groups, and highlighting the friendship between Vietnam and Laos.

Lao students in Thua Thien - Hue celebrate the Bunpimay Festival. Photo: VNA

During the festival, participants practiced traditional rituals of the festival, including thread tying, water-splashing and peace-praying ceremonies.

A similar ceremony was held on April 9 in the central coastal city of Da Nang by the municipal Union of Friendship Organizations (DAFO).

Attending the festival, on the side of Da Nang city, there were member of the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee, Standing Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Da Nang City, President of the city's Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association, Ho Ky Minh; Vice President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association, former Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee, former President of the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Association, Phung Tan Viet.

In addition, there were representatives of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), the DAFO leadership, and leaders of the city's Foreign Affairs Department.

Thread tying ritual at the event in Da Nang city. Photo: DAFO

Also attending the event were representatives of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha; leaders of Military Region V; leaders of the Central Highlands Affairs Department under the Office of the National Assembly in Da Nang, departments, departments, branches, associations, local organizations, former Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who used to do international service in Laos during the past wars.

On the Lao side, there was the Consul General of Laos in Da Nang, Viengxay Phommachanh; Deputy Consul General Souknivone Phommasone; and all officers and employees of the Consulate General of Laos in Da Nang; Lao students and people living, working and studying in Da Nang also attended.

Lao students and Vietnamese students participate in folk games during the 2022 Vietnam - Laos Cultural Festival at the University of Education - the University of Da Nang.

In order to connect, exchange and exchange cultures between Vietnamese students and Lao students studying at the University of Education - the University of Da Nang and the member schools, on April 8, the University of Education organized a Vietnam - Laos Cultural Festival to celebrate the Bunpimay festival of Laotians.

Speaking at the event, the university’s deputy rector Bui Buch Hanh said that due to complex developments of the Covid-19 pandemic, Lao students cannot return home to welcome the New Year with their families.

Therefore, the university organised the event to help them practice rituals and customs during their traditional New Year festivals such as thread tying and water splashing, and participate in folk games, she said.

Lienseng Phengsavath, first secretary, head of Education and Culture Department, Consulate General of Laos in Da Nang thanked the universities for organizing the cultural festival to welcome international students and gave them the opportunity to experience the traditional culture of Vietnam.

The event was also a chance to connect Lao students with Vietnamese teachers and friends.

About 300 Laos students are studying in Da Nang, of which more than 135 are studying at the University of Education.

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