 People offer meals to monks during the Sen Dolta festival. (Photo: Ngoc Tuoi/VOV) |
This year’s Sen Dolta festival took place 3 days, from Sunday to Tuesday, but half a month beforehand, the festive atmosphere had already spread everywhere. People gathered at Khmer pagodas in Can Tho, Ca Mau, An Giang, and Vinh Long to worship the Buddha and offer meals to the monks.
Sen Dolta is an occasion for people to honor their ancestors, reinforce the tradition of “remembering the source of the water we drink”, and strengthen unity within the Khmer community.
Mr. Thach Sros, a resident of Vinh Long province, said this year’s Sen Dolta is special, as it coincided with the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s August Revolution and National Day. “We’re very excited. Thanks to the Party and the State’s support, our material and spiritual lives have improved. That makes the festive atmosphere even more joyful.”
After offering meals to the monks and incense to their ancestors, people gathered to play folk games and perform dances and songs.
 Venerable Danh Do La of Dong Tranh pagoda in Vinh Binh commune, An Giang province (Photo: Ngoc Tuoi/ VOV) |
“For the Khmer community, Sen Dolta is a spiritual celebration and a time to deepen bonds of solidarity,” Venerable Danh Do La of Dong Tranh pagoda, An Giang province, said, adding “The Party and the State’s support has strengthened our trust and our determination to preserve and promote our heritage.”
Mr. Vi Ti Va Lay of Vinh Long province, said local authorities care about the material and spiritual lives of the people, supports poor households, gives gifts to policy beneficiaries, and encourages young people to take part in cultural and sports activities.
“During Sen Dolta, the authorities visit and give gifts to pagodas, monks, families with revolutionary contributions, and Khmer officials and employees. This year, with the Party’s restructuring of local government into two tiers, administrative procedures have become more efficient. As a result, the Khmer community feels very satisfied and supported,” he said.
 Local authorities visit Khmer monks during the Sen Dolta festival. (Photo: Ngoc Tuoi/ VOV) |
Khmer people welcomed this year’s Sen Dolta in the joy of national renewal.
“We have implemented the Party and State’s policies of caring for the people, especially ethnic minority people. The commune has helped more than 100 households build or repair a house, provided vocational training to 2,300 people, and distributed 10 tons of rice and other essential goods and financial support,” said Ms. Chau Hong Hoa, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Thuan Hoa commune, Can Tho city.
Ms. Son Thi Si Net of Can Tho city, said, “The Sen Dolta festival provides an opportunity to preserve our traditions. It is an important part of the spiritual life of the Khmer people.”