HCMCity (VNA) – The traditional New Year festivals of Laos, Thailand,Cambodia, and Myanmar - Bunpimay, Songkran, Chol Chhnam Thmay, and Thingyang -were celebrated at a ceremony at Pho Minh Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City on April14.

The event was jointly organised by the Ho Chi Minh City Union of FriendshipOrganisations (HUFO) and the International Department of the Vietnam BuddhistSangha (VBS)’s Chapter in the city.

Speakingat the ceremony, HUFO Vice President Ho Xuan Lam emphasised that Vietnam,Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand are all members of the ASEAN community,and the nations have been cooperating with and assisting each other.

Thecountries have shared their joys and sorrows during their causes of nationalconstruction and development, and have been striving for a peaceful, stable,cooperative, and prosperous ASEAN community, he said.

The celebration of the traditional festivals of Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, andThailand in Ho Chi Minh City is annually organised by HUFO and agencies,showing the friendship between the people in the  ASEAN nations andfurther promoting mutual understanding between Vietnam and its neighbouringcountries, and enhancing cultural exchanges and multifaceted cooperationbetween Vietnam, particularly Ho Chi Minh City, with other countries, Lam added.

MostVenerable Thich Thien Tam, Vice President of the Executive Council of theVietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) Central Committee and deputy head of the HCM CityVBS Committee’s executive board, said the traditional New Year Festivals ofCambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand reflect similarities in culture andreligious practices among the countries, adding that they help strengthen thefive nations’ solidarity during the development process of each country and theregion.

Onthis occasion, Most Venerable Thich Thien Tam sent his best wishes to officialsand employees of the Consulates General and the people of Laos, Cambodia,Thailand, and Myanmar, hoping them would overcome difficulties caused by theCOVID-19 pandemic and together build a peaceful, happy, peaceful and fulfillinglife.

Onbehalf of the Consulates General of the four countries, Lao Deputy ConsulGeneral in HCM City Amphay Souvannaseng expressed his honour and delight toattend the event.

Hesaid the celebration helped the people of the countries get closer, showingsolidarity and determination towards the target of stronger development of eachcountry./.