A delegation from the Vietnamese Embassy in Sri Lanka in a visit to the Trúc Lâm Zen Monastery. VNA/VNS Photo

NEW DELHI Việt Nam's culture has been brought closer to the Sri Lankan people through various programmes held by monks at the Trúc Lâm Zen Monastery in Kandy City.

Around 30 Sri Lankan children and their parents have attended a Vietnamese language class organised at the pagoda, the first Vietnamese one in the country. Most of them can introduce themselves fluently, and sing popular Vietnamese songs.

Along with the traditional Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday, the mid-autumn festival and Vu Lan (hungry ghost) festival, the monks have introduced Vietnamese dishes such as vegetarian spring roll and bún bò Huế (Huế noodle soup), and candied coconut, contributing to spreading the love for the Vietnamese language and culture among local people.

The monks have also provided rice support and scholarships for disadvantaged children.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Trịnh Thị Tâm, in a visit to the pagoda, spoke highly of the monks’ work, and expressed her hope that they will continue their devotion to popularise the Vietnamese culture in the host nation.

The pagoda was built in 2020 by master Pháp Quang, who has lived in Sri Lanka for years. VNA/VNS