Enjoying Chol Chnam Thmay of Khmer ethnic group in Hanoi

Enjoying Chol Chnam Thmay of Khmer ethnic group in Hanoi Related image(s)

The Chol Chnam Thmay New Year festival of the Khmer ethnic minority group is taking place from April 14th to 16th at the Khmer pagoda space at the Cultural Tourism Village of Ethnic Minority Groups in Son Tay town, Hanoi. Being one of the most important festivals for the Khmer people, it lasts three days (four days in leap years) and is traditionally held in a pagoda. It is a demonstration of Khmer people’s aspirations, like many other ethnic groups, to move on from the previous year’s misfortunes and look forward to the promise of a new year. The festival drew the participation of leader of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, ambassadors from five countries including Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia, students from five these countries who are studying in Hanoi, and monks, nuns and Buddhists. The festival at the Cultural Tourism Village of Ethnic Minority Groups (Source: hanoimoi.com.vn) Diverse cultural activities such as photo and document exhibitions on the group’s cultural identities and their rural area building efforts, traditional dancing and musical instrument performances are being held during the festival. In addition, there is a cooking contest of traditional Khmer dishes and folk game competitions. Formal celebrations will be held on April 16th./.