Ca Mau province has 21 ethnic minorities living together. Of which, the Khmer ethnic group accounts for the largest proportion. In recent times, along with efforts to develop the local economy and ensure national security, preserving and promoting the cultural values of the Khmer people has always been a priority for local authorities at all levels. This has contributed significantly to the development of a comprehensive socio-economic landscape in the province, helping build a progressive culture rich in national identity.
Ca Mau province places great importance on preserving and promoting the traditional cultural identity of the Khmer ethnic group.
The province currently has 12,154 households, with 50,653 ethnic minority people. Among these, the largest is the Khmer ethnic group, with 9,699 households, 41,212 people. To preserve and promote the cultural identity of the Khmer people, local authorities have focused on investing in community cultural facilities, safeguarding the Khmer language and script, and creating favorable conditions for the Khmer community to celebrate their traditional festivals and holidays in a joyful and warm atmosphere.
One of the key solutions to preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the Khmer ethnic group is the effective implementation of the National Target Program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority areas in the 2021-2025 period. In 2024, Ca Mau has invested in building two new Salatel, bringing the total number of salatels built in the province to 12. Support equipment and facilities for the operation of 10 salatels and the restoration and embellishment of 2 Khmer Theravada pagodas in the province with funds from the program. It is expected that in 2025, it will continue to invest in building a new salatel. The new investment, restoration and embellishment of salatels and pagodas will help the Khmer people have a spacious place to practice traditional rituals, as well as organize community cultural activities on traditional holidays and New Year of the nation.
In addition to investing in cultural infrastructure, Ca Mau has also focused on preserving the Khmer language and script. Notably, the province has organized Khmer language classes during the summer at pagodas, Salatels, and areas with large Khmer populations. According to Venerable Pham Minh Thang, the abbot of Tam Hiep Pagoda in Tran Hoi commune, Tran Van Thoi district: “Every year, the Provincial Ethnic Affairs Department and the District People's Committee coordinate to organize Khmer language classes for children of the Khmer community. Since 2019, the pagoda has cooperated to organize about 50 classes, with over 800 students. Thanks to the attention of the Party, State, and local authorities, the cultural and spiritual life of the Khmer people in the district has improved significantly”.
The organization teaches and promotes the Khmer language for the children of the Khmer ethnic group in the province.
Mr. Tran Hoang Nho, Head of the Provincial Ethnic Affairs Department, added: “On average, each year, the Provincial Ethnic Affairs Department coordinates with relevant agencies and localities to organize more than 22 Khmer language classes at pagodas, Salatels, and other areas with large Khmer populations, with about 35 classes and 750 students participating. This program equips students with the basic skills to read and write common phrases, enabling them to communicate in their native language. It also helps raise their awareness of the traditions and cultural practices of the Khmer people”.
Not only the preservation of language and script, but also the traditional festivals and ceremonies of the Khmer ethnic community in the province have always been a focus of attention and support from local Party committees and governments to maintain and organize them regularly. Prominent among these are the traditional cultural festivals and Lunar New Year celebrations, such as: Chol Chnam Thmay, Sen Dolta, Ok Om Bok, offering of robes, and flower offerings. Venerable Danh Son, the Abbot of Dau Nai Pagoda in Tan Loc Bac commune, Thoi Binh district, shared: “The Khmer people have many festivals closely connected with their daily life, cultural activities, arts, and pagoda architecture, which are considered unique cultural heritages of the Khmer people. Among them, the system of Southern Buddhist pagoda architecture, with a long history of formation, holds many historical, cultural, and architectural values. These pagodas are not only places for community cultural activities but also sites that preserve and pass on the unique traditional values of the Khmer people. Over time, the preservation and promotion of the traditional cultural values of the Khmer people, from art forms to religious beliefs and festivals, have always received great attention from the local Party committees and governments. At the same time, the Khmer people have a strong awareness of preserving and promoting their cultural traditions, contributing to the development of an advanced culture that retains a strong national identity”.
Through these festivals and cultural activities, the traditional identity of the Khmer people is preserved, passed down through generations.
Mr. Tieu Minh Tien, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, stated: “In 2024, as part of the national target program for socio-economic development in ethnic minority areas, the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism has provided funding to repair a traditional ghe ngo boat and organized training and competitions for the traditional ghe ngo rowing team of the Khmer ethnic group at Rach Giong Pagoda, Ho Thi Ky commune, Thoi Binh district. We have organized four training courses to teach and pass on the art of Khmer traditional five-tone music at local pagodas. The department has also revived the teu-va-da ritual to celebrate the Khmer New Year (Chol Chnam Thmay) and the sand-mountain festival. Additionally, 15 performances showcasing the traditional costumes of various ethnic minorities, including the Khmer, have been organized, with performances incorporated into cultural shows during tours and at ethnic boarding schools. These activities have significantly contributed to preserving and promoting the traditional cultural values of the Khmer people in the province”.
The culture of ethnic minorities is a valuable heritage that contributes to the richness, diversity, and unity of Vietnam’s advanced and distinctive national culture. Preserving the cultural identity of the ethnic groups in general, and the Khmer people in particular, is an important task with strategic significance in the period of national integration and development. It is believed that with the comprehensive and effective solutions being implemented, the traditional cultural values of the Khmer people will continue to be strongly promoted, creating momentum to boost the socio-economic development of the ethnic minority regions in particular and the province in general in the coming years.