The festival is taking place at the Khmer pagoda complex in thevillage from April 15-20. A Buddha procession and bathing ceremony willbe staged alongside rituals to see off a god called Tevada and welcomethe new one.
It is also observed in Cambodia, Laos,Thailand, Myanmar and Sri Lanka, with the aim of praying for a new yearof peace and happiness.
During the festival,which usually falls in mid-April and lasts three days (four days in leapyears), the Khmer ethnic people partake in various games and fairy talestorytelling and wish people health and prosperity.
Apart from worshipping the Buddha, Khmer people believe that everyyear heaven sends a god (Tevada) to earth to look after human beings andtheir lives. At the end of the year, the god returns to heaven andanother will replace him.
On the eve of the year, every family prepares a lavish meal, burns incense and candles.
Celebrating the Chol Chnam Thmay festival and highlighting the ethniccuisine culture are one of the main activities of the Culture TourismVillage of Vietnamese Ethnic Groups, about 40km west of Hanoi’s centre.-VNA