Chinese, Vietnamese Communities Rejoice at New Year

The Chinese Vietnamese New Year is the best opportunity for the communities of those two countries in Vientiane to gather together and be joyful.

In anticipation of the New Year on Monday, thousands of people from the two communities gathered in happy throngs at Hor Kang and Bong-Long temples on Sunday night.

Their temple visits aimed to dispel bad fortune associated with the old year, and receive blessings for the year to come.
A representative of the Chinese Foundation, Mr Meo, said this is also a time when Chinese people like to make donations to those who are less fortunate, especially the elderly.

“Each year, people donate food, money and various essentials to elderly Chinese Lao in Vientiane who have no relatives in the country,” he
said, adding that this pleases everyone involved.

Mr Meo said that each year the foundation organises lion dances throughout the community, as the Chinese believe this performance
bodes well for the coming year.

Vietnamese people also took the opportunity to meet and wish each other well for the New Year.A monk from Bong-Longtemple, Quang Tri, said it is traditional for the Vietnamese to pack the temple to worship images of Buddha on both New Year’s Eve and the first day of the New Year.

Souknilundon Southivongnorath
(Updated Jan 24th, 2012)