On April 13, in the warm and solemn atmosphere of the Chôl Chnăm Thmây Tet, a delegation from the Ministry of Ethnic Minorities and Religions led by Deputy Minister Nong Thi Ha visited and wished Tet to Khmer compatriots at Candaransi Pagoda (Xuan Hoa ward) and Pothiwong Pagoda (Bay Hien ward). These are places with a large number of Khmer compatriots living and participating in typical religious activities in Ho Chi Minh City.
On behalf of the Ministry's leaders, Deputy Minister Nong Thi Ha respectfully sent to venerable dignitaries, dignitaries, prestigious people and all Khmer compatriots warm greetings and wishes for a new year of peace, prosperity and happiness. The Deputy Minister emphasized that Chôl Chnăm Thmây Tet is not only a moment of New Year's transition but also a sacred occasion to look towards the roots, preserve cultural identity and harmoniously connect religion and life.
Deputy Minister Nong Thi Ha said that ethnic and religious policies are always implemented consistently, paying comprehensive attention to the material and spiritual life of ethnic minorities. This visit activity continues to show deep concern for Khmer people and Khmer Buddhism.
The Deputy Minister acknowledged and highly appreciated the patriotic spirit and active labor and production of the Khmer people in Ho Chi Minh City. In particular, monks and dignitaries have played a good role in guiding people to live "a good life, a beautiful religion", and well comply with the Party's guidelines and the State's laws. With its position as a major economic center, Ho Chi Minh City is committed to always creating the most favorable conditions for Khmer people to integrate and make positive contributions to the common development.
At the meeting, Venerable Danh Lung - Member of the Executive Council, Deputy Head of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Ho Chi Minh City, Abbot of Candaransi Pagoda - expressed his gratitude for the concern of the working delegation. The Venerable recalled the tradition of solidarity of the Khmer people, from the period of gathering in the North at the call of President Ho Chi Minh to the role of the Association of Patriotic Monks of the Southwest in the period 1964–1975.
The Venerable expressed his wish that the association's activities continue to be expanded to suit the new development context. Although the scale of Candaransi Pagoda is not large, it always maintains a "great spiritual heritage" to educate and connect the community. Currently, the pagoda supports about 50 students each year, including Lao and Cambodian students.
In particular, the Venerable shared his joy when in 2025, the Ngo boat racing festival was held for the first time in Ho Chi Minh City on the Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe canal with the support of the government. This helps Khmer people, no matter where they are, to immerse themselves in the traditional cultural space. Chôl Chnăm Thmây Tet today has become a common exchange space for Kinh, Hoa, Cham ethnic groups..., contributing to spreading the spirit of solidarity and eliminating language barriers.
Continuing, Venerable Tang Ngoc An - Abbot of Pothiwong Pagoda - also expressed his wish that the Party and State continue to have more support policies for Khmer people to stabilize their lives, promote cultural identity and contribute more and more to society.
