Tra Vinh Province, Viet Nam, 5 November 2024 – Samdech Kittipritthbandit Bun Rany Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian Red Cross, led a Khmer Solidarity Kathina Procession to Wat Po Kiri Vongsaram, also known as Wat Svay Siem Thmey, in Tra Su district in the Vietnamese province of Tra Vinh on Tuesday.

Samdech Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly, and Samdech Kittisongkhabindit Men Sam An, Member of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the King, also took part in the procession along with other members of parliament, Royal Government officials, other Cambodians and ethnic Khmer people from Viet Nam. The event was crowded and took place in a happy, friendly, cheerful, and festive atmosphere.

To mark the occasion, the Khmer Kathina Family Solidarity Organization collected more than US$2 million in donations of which US$900,000 was donated to Wat Svay Siem Thmey. Another 142 pagodas each received US$10,000.

Both local and visiting Khmer people expressed their happiness with the ceremony as they walked to the pagoda in a religious event seen as an important contribution to strengthening the traditional culture of ethnic Khmer people in Viet Nam. The event also demonstrated the compassion, love, and care for local Khmers from Samdech Kittipritthbandit  and Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate.

The ceremony dedicated merit to Khmer people everywhere with the four Buddhist blessings of longevity, nobility, happiness, and strength.