Best conditions prepared for the festival, said Nguyen Thu Cuc – Deputy Chairwoman of Thu Dau Mot city

The Full Moon Festival in the first lunar month in Thu Dau Mot city is one of the major festivals at the beginning of the new year to attract a large number of local residents and international visitors. In order to provide readers with a better understanding of the organization of this year's Full Moon Festival, Binh Duong Newspaper has exchanged information with Ms. Nguyen Thu Cuc - Chairwoman of the People's Committee of Thu Dau Mot city and Head of the Steering Committee for the Full Moon Festival in 2024, regarding some relevant details.

The Mazu Goddess Temple welcome various religious people to visit

- After the New Year's Eve, people have started participating in cultural and religious activities at pagodas, communal houses, and temples before the Full Moon Festival in the first lunar month. The leaders of Thu Dau Mot city have instructed functional departments, wards, and religious establishments in the area to enhance efforts to ensure order and safety in all aspects. How are they creating favorable conditions for people to participate in these activities?

- It is definitely true. Although the peak of the Full Moon Festival in Thu Dau Mot city is on the 14th and 15th days of the lunar January as people have already started going to pagodas and religious establishments since New Year's Eve with a hope to make their best wishes in this transitional moment as they begin a new year. Every year, right from the beginning of the new Gregorian year, TP.Thu Dau Mot holds a Steering Committee meeting to plan and ensure a specific program for the smooth and safe organization of cultural festivals for local residents and international visitors.

This year, the city is primarily focused on several important areas, including ensuring security and order, traffic safety, food hygiene and safety, environmental sanitation, market management, volunteer, and promotional activities for the Lantern Festival in January 2024. City leaders evaluate that these tasks are currently being carried out quite well.

- During the Lunar New Year Festival in the city, the Mazu Goddess Temple Festival is the largest festival in both the city and Bình Dương province. How did the city's leadership pay attention to this year's Lunar New Year Festival to ensure its significance and create a cultural space for local residents and tourists, madam?

- We all know that there are many temples similar in various locations in Binh Dương province, but in the hearts of the people and visitors, the Mazu Temple in Phu Cuong ward is where they express special affection, especially during the annual procession of the Mazu Goddess on the 15th day of the lunar January. People often affectionately refer to it as "Chua Ba Binh Duong" (Binh Duong Ba Pagoda).

Lunar January Festival 2024 has been thoroughly prepared to ensure factors of civilization, humanity and sentiments

As I have shared, from the beginning of the lunar year 2024, the city has organized a Steering Committee for various departments to start working from the days leading up to Tet. Not only the city leaders are concerned, but also the provincial leaders are particularly interested in the Full Moon Festival in January. Because, this is not only the cultural activity of the city itself, but for a long time, this festival has been associated with the image of a hospitable, civilized, and affectionate Binh Duong. As a result, the local authorities are making every effort to ensure that this year's Lunar New Year Festival is safe and successful.

- The Full Moon Festival in Thu Dau Mot City is synonymous to the free festival. This year, Thu Dau Mot city continues to focus on how to promote the traditional values of this land of love and the activities that have created its own unique festival brand in Binh Duong province.

- This is not only the joy and pride of the locals but also the shared joy of the people of Binh Duong in the new spring days. The year 2023 has passed through many difficulties, the economic recession directly affecting every citizen and business. However, it is heartwarming to share that the "kind-hearted" individuals have registered with the local authorities early on to organize meaningful activities during this festival. This year, the Young Entrepreneurs Association of the city and province also joined hands with nearly 40 businesses to participate in free activities at the Full Moon Festival. People and households say that "difficulties can be found everywhere, but by contributing a little effort to volunteer at the beginning of the year, it will bring complete joy throughout the year." I believe that these emotions and contributions are very valuable and worthy of appreciation.

- Through this year's festival, what message does the leadership of Thu Dau Mot City want to convey to the people and visitors from near and far?

- Thu Dau Mot is ready to welcome visitors from all over the world to celebrate the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year in 2024. The streets are adorned with sparkling lights, the corners are adorned with festive flags, and photo spots capturing the essence of spring have appeared everywhere. The volunteer team is also prepared to serve the needs of the visitors. With the meaning of "The civilized, compassionate, and affectionate Full Moon Festival of January 2024" Thu Dau Mot city respectfully sends wishes of peace, luck, prosperity, and happiness to the city's residents and visitors from near and far. Hopes are high that the efforts being made by Thu Dau Mot city during this year's festival season will bring a joyful and meaningful festive atmosphere to both locals and visitors from all corners. They will be able to experience the beauty of Thu Dau Mot - Bình Dương, a land known for its sophistication, compassion, and sense of community.

- Thank you.

Interviewed by Hong Thuan – Translated by Vi Bao