Hanoi (VNA) - President of the VietnamFatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Tran Thanh Man sent his “warmest greetings”and “best wishes” in a letter on April 3 to all Khmer ethnic minority people onthe occasion of their traditional new year festival, Chol Chnam Thmay.

Describing the Khmer people as an integral part of the community of Vietnameseethnic groups, Man spoke highly of what they have done to contribute todeveloping the country, improving living standards, and strengthening the national great unity bloc.

He also praised monks and dignitaries of KhmerTheravada Buddhism and outstanding Khmer people for setting great examples forothers in their community in complying with the Party and State’s policies and inengaging people in activities held by the VFF.

This year’s Chol Chnam Thmay takes place at a timewhen Vietnam and the world are combating the COVID-19 pandemicand the Mekong Delta is being severely hit by drought and saltwater intrusion,negatively affecting people’s lives and socio-economic development, he said.

Man hopes that Khmer monks and people will continueto uphold traditional solidarity, overcome hardships, maintain production, andpreserve their cultural identity.

He also urged them to follow the State’s preventivemeasures against the pandemic while enjoying the traditional festival.

The front leader ended his letter by wishing the Khmer monks andpeople a peaceful, joyful, and merry festival.

Chol Chnam Thmay is one of the most important festivals of the Khmer people. Itusually lasts three days and is celebrated primarily in pagodas. The festivaldemonstrates the Khmer people’s aspirations to move on from the old year andlook forward to a promising new year.

The festival lasts from April 14 to 16 this year./.