On April 10, a delegation from the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, led by Deputy Minister Y Thong, visited and delivered New Year greetings to the Khmer community in Ca Mau.

Joining the delegation were Huynh Chi Nguyen, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee; Nguyen Thu Tu, Director of the provincial Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs; and Bui Minh Hai, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in Ca Mau.

During the visit, the delegation met with the provincial Association for Patriotic Solidarity of Buddhist Monks and visited Venerable Thach Ha, Vice Chairman of the association and abbot of Monivongsa Pagoda in An Xuyen Ward.

Deputy Minister Y Thong conveyed his regards to senior monks, dignitaries and the Khmer community, wishing them a joyful, safe and prosperous New Year.

He emphasized that Theravada Buddhism holds a particularly important place in the spiritual life of the Khmer people. Pagodas serve not only as religious centers but also as hubs of culture and education, preserving language, script, customs and traditional values.

Monks, he noted, play a vital role within the community, contributing not only to religious practice but also to social work, moral education and encouraging people to live in accordance with both spiritual and civic values.

The Deputy Minister acknowledged the association’s role in bridging the Party, the State and the Khmer community, helping strengthen national unity and maintain social stability in the locality.

He reaffirmed that the Party and the State consistently uphold policies guaranteeing freedom of belief and religion, while creating favorable conditions for lawful religious activities. For Khmer Theravada Buddhism, various policies have been implemented to preserve and promote traditional cultural values, including maintaining educational systems that protect the community’s language and script.

In response, Venerable Thach Ha expressed appreciation for the attention from Party and State leaders, noting that the association has actively encouraged monks and followers to adhere to the guiding principle of “Dharma - Nation - Socialism” and comply with laws and policies.

He affirmed that the association would continue guiding monks and followers to uphold religious teachings while contributing to socio-economic development and cultural life at the grassroots level.

During a visit to Xiem Can Pagoda in Hiep Thanh Ward, Deputy Minister Y Thong also shared updates on the country’s socio-economic achievements over the past year. He praised the Khmer community’s contributions to development, cultural preservation and national unity, and called on religious dignitaries and respected individuals to continue promoting these values.

Venerable Duong Quan, Vice Chairman of the provincial association and abbot of Xiem Can Pagoda, affirmed continued commitment to building prosperous and civilized communities.

The delegation also visited the Ca Mau Ethnic Boarding School, where the Deputy Minister extended New Year wishes to teachers and students. He encouraged educators to remain dedicated and students to strive in their studies, contributing to the development of high-quality human resources.

He noted that the Party and the State have consistently prioritized education in ethnic minority areas, with strengthened boarding school systems and comprehensive support policies helping students stay in school.

The delegation also paid a New Year visit to Vietnamese Heroic Mother Nguyen Thi Chu, extending wishes for good health and expressing hope that she would continue to inspire younger generations to uphold revolutionary traditions.

During the trip, gifts were presented to monks, Khmer Buddhist followers, teachers, students, four exemplary Khmer individuals, eight respected community figures and 18 disadvantaged Khmer households.

According to the Ca Mau People’s Committee, the province is home to more than 32,000 Khmer households, with nearly 140,000 people.

The 2026 Chôl Chnăm Thmây festival will take place from April 14 to 16. As the traditional New Year approaches, Khmer communities in the Mekong Delta, including Ca Mau, are looking forward to a year of continued growth, renewal and prosperity.