Nation joins Khmer people in traditional new year

      President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Huynh Dam has sent his best wishes to Khmer ethnic people on the occasion of their new year festival - Chol Chnam Thmay.
The VFF Central Committee recognised and appreciated Khmer community’s participation in campaigns and movements launched by the VFF, especially a campaign in support for poor people, contributing to socio-economic development and security in their localities, the letter said.
“I believe that Khmer monks, Achas and all Khmer people will continue to work to consolidate the great national unity towards the goal of wealthy people, a powerful country, and a fair, democratic and civilised society,” the VFF President wrote.
Mekong Delta Tra Vinh provincial authorities met with the local Khmer community and religious dignitaries on April 10, sending them new year greetings and presented them with gifts.
The province also organised an art festival on the occasion.
Tra Vinh Province has built more than 30,000 houses worth over 200 billion VND for Khmer people with difficulties, according to Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Tran Hoan Kim, adding that the province has also offered incentives to encourage Khmer students to pursue study.
In 2008 alone, the province spent 100 billion VND on building infrastructure, supporting production, and training personnel in areas with large Khmer populations.
In An Giang, representatives of the steering board for southwestern region development and the provincial authorities are busy with new year visits to 65 Khmer pagodas and 60 households.
The Public Security Ministry’s Security General Department and the provincial police force also presented gifts worth 68 million VND to Khmer households and pagodas.
The Khmer community in Soc Trang Province gathered at a meeting on April 10 to celebrate their new year festival.
The festival this year is especially joyful as local people just had a bumper harvest. In addition, more than 54,600 Khmer families, or 72 percent of the total, have access to electricity and 80 percent of the province’s Khmer households have been supplied with fresh water.
Close to 8,500 poor households have moved into new charity houses and 4,600 families have escaped from poverty.