Requiem ceremony held in memory of flash flood victims in Mường Lay

ĐBP - On April 5, at the spiritual-cultural area and Sơn La Hydropower Reservoir in Mường Lay Town, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Điện Biên province, in coordination with the Mường Lay town People’s Committee, solemnly held a grand requiem ceremony to commemorate the souls of those who lost their lives in the 1990 flash flood in the former Lai Châu town, now Mường Lay town, Điện Biên province.

Attending the event was Trần Quốc Cường, Member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Điện Biên provincial Party Committee.

The historic flash flood occurred on June 27, 1990, claiming the lives of 72 people and injuring 251 others in the former Lai Châu town. Another flash flood in 1996 caused two more deaths.

Provincial Party Secretary Trần Quốc Cường and other delegates offer incense in remembrance of flood victims.

In remembrance of the victims and the officers and soldiers who perished during these disasters, the requiem was held with solemnity and reverence. The ceremony began with the “kiều vong” ritual (inviting wandering souls) on the Sơn La Hydropower Reservoir, symbolically guiding lost souls to find refuge in the Buddhist realm.

This was followed by a series of spiritual rites at Linh Ứng Pagoda, including offerings to the Buddha, incense rituals, prayers for peace, the “Mông Sơn thí thực” ceremony (offerings to the wandering spirits), and a lantern ceremony at the town’s cultural-spiritual complex.

The requiem at Linh Ứng Pagoda.

The requiem reflected the nation’s deeply rooted tradition of gratitude and remembrance, educating younger generations about the profound losses endured by civilians and frontline personnel during natural disasters. It also served as a moment to pray for national peace, favorable weather, and a prosperous, happy life for all.

The kiều vong ritual (inviting wandering souls) on the Sơn La Hydropower Reservoir.

In addition to the main activities on April 5, the grand requiem also featured side events from April 4-6, including the display and introduction of traditional local products and OCOP specialties, as well as a photo exhibition and cultural space showcasing the ethnic Thái people at the Mechanical Boat Wharf in Mường Lay town.

Minh Thảo
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