Central Binh Thuan province is famous for cactus trees, white sand dunesand the special cultural identities of Cham people, especially theRamuwan New Year festival of the Islamic Cham which will take place fromJuly 7-9 this year.

As the biggest festival of the Islamiccommunity in the province, they gather with relatives to pay respect totheir ancestors and pray for happiness, bumper crops and peace.

The celebration features traditional rituals and activities such asworshipping ceremonies and cleaning and decorating ancestral graves.

In the joyful atmosphere, the Muslim Cham people will performfolk songs and dances while engaging in a range of traditional games.

Recently, the festival has seen the participation of Kinhfriends and researchers both at home and abroad who want to explorespecial cultural identities of Islamic Cham people.

The NinhThuan People’s Committee has instructed cities and districts to partnerwith the provincial Fatherland Front Central Committee andorganisations to create favourable conditions for the organisation ofthe festival.

On this occasion, provincial leaders visitedrepresentatives of the Islamic Cham Community and outstandingdignitaries, and toured a number of pagodas and mosques in the province.

The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has workedwith localities to organise cultural and sporting activities within theframework of the festival.-VNA