President of the Việt Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee Đỗ Văn Chiến (left) on Wednesday presents a gift for Khmer Theravada Buddhist dignitaries and followers and the Khmer ethnic group in Cần Thơ City. — VNA/VNS Photo

CẦN THƠ — President of the Việt Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee Đỗ Văn Chiến on Wednesday extended his New Year wishes to Khmer Theravada Buddhist dignitaries and followers and the Khmer ethnic group in the southern city of Cần Thơ on their traditional Chol Chnam Thmay festival.

Visiting Pothisomron pagoda, Chiến said he hoped that the dignitaries and Khmer people would encourage young local people and children, no matter how difficult it is, to continue going to school, learning the national language and learning the Bali language of Khmer people.

He also expressed his wish that they continue staying united, believing in the Party, and contributing to the locality’s development.

On the same day, a delegation led by Bùi Thị Minh Hoài, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and head of its Commission for Mass Mobilisation, visited and presented gifts to Khmer Theravada Buddhist dignitaries and Khmer people in HCM City.

At Candaransi pagoda, Hoài said that the Party and State consistently created favourable conditions for and supported ethnic groups, including Khmer people, while respecting and ensuring their beliefs and religious freedoms.

She also acknowledged efforts by the group in the fight against COVID-19 and their contributions to the development of HCM City and Việt Nam at large.

The delegation also visited Pothiwong pagoda and granted gifts to dignitaries and locals there. — VNS