Soc Trang (VNA) – The Party Committee and People’sCommittee of the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang on October 10 organised 15delegations to visit policy beneficiary families, Heroic Vietnamese Mothers,Heroes of the People’s Armed Forces, and retired officials from the Khmer ethnicgroup, as well as Buddhist dignitaries in some Khmer pagodas on the occasion ofSene Dolta festival.

Sene Dolta, which is celebrated from the 30th of the eighthlunar month to the second of the ninth lunar month each year (October 13-15this year), is one of the most important religious festivals for Khmer ethnicpeople, along with Chol Chnam Thmay (New Year) and Ooc Oom Bok to thank theMoon for a good harvest.

During the event, people gather to pay homage to their ancestors and enjoytraditional singing and dancing after a year of hard work.

A delegation led by Secretary of the Soc Trang PartyCommittee Lam Van Man paid a visit to dignitaries of Bang Cro Chap Thmay pagodain Tan Hung commune of Long Phu district and Patriotic Clergy SolidarityAssociation of Long Phu, and dignitaries of Kos Tung pagoda in An Thanh 2commune, Cu Lao Dung district.

The official said that thanks to the solidarity anddetermination of the whole political system, people and businesses, the localsocio-economic situation has been continuously improved, with ensured politicalsecurity, social order and safety and locals' improved living conditions.

He expressed his hope that dignitaries of Khmer pagodas and Khmer people inLong Phu and Cu Lao Dung districts will continue to strengthen the great national solidarity bloc, while joining hands with the provincialVietnam Fatherland Front Committee and socio-political associations indeveloping the homeland.

Meanwhile, a delegation led by Permanent Deputy Secretary of the provincialParty Committee Ho Thi Cam Dao visited and extended congratulations to dignitaries at Botum Vong Sa Som Rong pagoda in Soc Trang city as well as the provincial Khmer arttroupe.

Dao wished monks and dignitaries of the pagoda as well asKhmer people a peaceful and happy Sene Dota festival.

She praised contributions of members of the Soc Trang Khmerart troupe to preserving and promoting the cultural identity of Khmer people.

Soc Trang is the locality with the largest Khmer community in the country. Overthe years, the locality has shown strong performance in boosting thesocio-economic development, especially in ethnic minority-inhabited areas.

Venerable Son Phuoc Loi, head of O Chum pagoda in Nga Namtown said that thanks to the great attention from the Party and State, theprovince has effectively implemented ethnic policies, supporting Khmer people inhousing and production, and helping them to join health insurance. As a result, their living conditions have been greatly improved, he said./.