Enjoying Chol Chnam Thmay festival

After a temporary break, due to the pandemic situation, this year, Chol Chnam Thmay, known as  the New Year festival of the Khmer ethnic people, was organized by the Youth Federation of Thuan An city’s Binh Hoa ward, the 30B/4 sub-union of Dong An 1 quarter in a joyful and cozy atmosphere, bringing a lot of joy and laughter to young workers living away from home in the locality.

After dinner time, young workers at 30B/4, Dong An 1 quarter, Binh Hoa ward called each other to participate in the Chol Chnam Thmay festival  right at their accommodation without going far. The Khmer ethnic minority people worn beautiful costumes, chatted and had fun together. Perhaps, it has been a long time since they had such joy, especially when they were able to attend the national traditional festival right in their second homeland – beloved Binh Duong.

Young workers participate in the national color contest

Trieu Vy La, deputy head of of the 30B/4 sub-union for young workers in Dong An 1 quarter said: “During the pandemic period, the Khmer ethnic people's Tet holiday program was postponed to ensure safety for pandemic prevention and control. This year, the program has returned, making us very happy and grateful for the attention of the local government, the Youth Union – Associations, helping young workers have a warm Tet with relatives, friends…”.

This year's Chol Chnam Thmay not only absorbed young workers from the 30B/4 sub-union, but also international students from the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Club under Thu Dau Mot University. At the festival, the Youth Union and Youth Federation of Binh Hoa ward gave gifts for the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Club. The highlight of this festival was the contest "Exchanging national colors" with the participation of 7 teams from the Khmer people's art troupes, Youth Union branches and the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Club. The national spirit was clearly expressed through the performance of each couple on stage, wearing beautiful traditional national costumes to perform fashion or contribute to the festival with unique singing, dancing items. And young workers transformed themselves as professional artists.

Lam Thi Diep, Deputy Head of the Khmer Art Troupe shared: “In order to have a really good dancing performance on stage, we practiced it for more than a month. We feel very happy and excited to participate in the program and promise to try to bring great and meaningful performances, helping the local Khmer ethnic people abate their homesick…

Also at the festival, the Youth Federation of Binh Hoa ward gave 20 gifts for members and individuals with difficult circumstances. The Youth Union branches of the Traffic Police Division and the Party and Political Work Division and the Division of Construction of the National Security Protection Movement under provincial Police Agency also awarded 2 youth works, including 9 gifts for disadvantaged children and donated 1 dream room to Khmer young workers with difficult circumstances.

Le Thi Ngoc Giau, Secretary of Binh Hoa ward’s Youth Union said: “In order to organize activities to take care of the material and spiritual lives of Youth Union members, young workers, especially Khmer people who are living and working in the locality, the ward’s Youth Union coordinated with relevant units to organize a ceremony to celebrate the Khmer ethnic minority people's traditional New Year festival Chol Chnam Thmay 2023,  thereby helping young workers enjoy a warm and meaningful Tet…”.

Mrs. Giau added that in order to take care of young workers, especially those who are ethnic minorities, over the past time, Binh Hoa ward’s Organizing Board of the Project on uniting and gathering young workers carried out many meaningful models, namely “weekend playground for children at lodging facilities”, "Weekend street for young workers", "Supporting Khmer ethnic people in economic development”, "Maintaining cultural and ethnic identity of Khmer members", "Joining hands to volunteer for community health", "Dream room"...The Organizing Board of the project paid special importance to organizing traditional activities such as the Chol Chnam Thmay traditional New Year program, the Kathina robe offering ceremony, the Ook om bok festival at the 30B/4 sub-union for young workers in Dong An 1 quarter. These programs also gave gifts for members and children with difficult circumstances, creating meaningful spiritual gifts while showing care for the lives of ethnic minorities. All contributed to encouraging workers to work with peace of mind in production, sticking with beloved Binh Duong.

Reported by Ngoc Nhu-Translated by Kim Tin