April 12, 2018 | 21:40 (GMT+7)
HCM City marks countries’ traditional New Year festival
PANO - The traditional New Year festival of Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar was celebrated in Ho Chi Minh City on April 11th.
The event, organized by the City’s Union of Friendship Organizations (HUFO) and other relevant agencies, was attended by representatives of the consulate generals of Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar in the city.
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Delegates at the event. Photo: VOH |
HUFO President Huynh Minh Thien held that the celebration was to help local people gain an insight into the four nations’ traditional festival, thus fostering Vietnam’s friendship with the neighboring countries.
Over the past years, the five countries joined hands together to contribute to an ASEAN Community of peace, stability, cooperation and prosperity, he noted.
This year’s event re-enacted typical New Year customs of Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar, such as bathing the Buddha statue, tying a thread on the wrist, and splashing water to each other to pray for health.
The traditional New Year festival known as Boun Pi Mai in Laos, Songkran in Thailand, Choul Chnam Thmey in Cambodia, and Thingyan in Myanmar runs from April 14th to 16th.
Translated by Van Hieu