A celebration of the Chol Chnam Thmay festival. — VNA/VNS Photo Tuấn Đức

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has sent a letter offering greetings to Khmer ethnic people on the occasion of their traditional Chol Chnam Thmay festival 2023.

Highlighting the special importance of the New Year festival Chol Chnam Thmay, PM Chính attributed Việt Nam's significant achievements last year partly to support and joint efforts by the people, including substantial contributions by the Khmer community.

He said ethnic minority affairs and the implementation of policies on ethnic groups had improved considerably, with a focus on accelerating the three national target programmes, especially the one on socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas and the action plan for implementing the strategy for ethnic minority affairs in the 2021-30 period, with a vision to 2045. As a result, the socio-economic situation in ethnic minority and mountainous areas has been bettered.

He underlined the importance of 2023 – the second year for implementing the national target programme on socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, and also the first year for executing the action plan for carrying out the strategy for ethnic minority affairs, which would open up many opportunities for residents in these areas.

The PM expressed his hope that Khmer people, cadres, and monks would keep upholding their long-standing traditions, strong patriotism, solidarity, will, and self-reliance to join hands with all-level authorities and sectors to surmount difficulties and challenges while exerting efforts to achieve socio-economic development targets, guarantee defence, security and social order and safety, and enhance the great national solidarity.

Concluding the letter, he wished the Khmer community good health, joy, peace, happiness, and success in 2023. — VNS