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
Comment

You have 500/500 characters left

Please enter 5 or more characters!!!

Maybe you are interested

Recent news

  • 'Building a solid people’s security posture

    Building a solid people’s security posture

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - Điện Biên is a mountainous province characterized by a vast, fragmented terrain, difficult transportation, and a long borderline adjoining Laos and China, thereby harboring numerous complex factors regarding security and order.
  • 'AI-generated fake news: Verify before you trust

    AI-generated fake news: Verify before you trust

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - From July 28 to September 28, 2026, the nationwide communication campaign “Trust AI? - Verify before you trust”, launched by the Ministry of Public Security, is being implemented across the country to improve people’s ability to identify and verify information and combat fake and misleading information generated by AI. In Điện Biên, the campaign is continuing with a range of coordinated activities aimed at fostering the habit of “verify before you trust” within the community.
  • 'Điện Biên leaders work with Education and Training sector

    Điện Biên leaders work with Education and Training sector

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - On August 15, the Standing Board of the Điện Biên provincial Party Committee held a working session with the Education and Training sector to evaluate task implementation during the early months of the year, orientations and tasks for the final months of 2026, preparations for the new 2026-2027 academic year, and the master arrangement plan for public educational institutions across Điện Biên province.
  • 'Building responsible cyberspace environment, starting with every user

    Building responsible cyberspace environment, starting with every user

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - A single tap can turn someone who receives information into someone who spreads it. Since May 2026, Điện Biên provincial Police have dealt with nearly 50 cases involving comments, shares and endorsements of harmful and malicious information online. The reality highlights the responsibility of every social media user.
  • 'Spreading value from outstanding cooperative products

    Spreading value from outstanding cooperative products

    ECONOMY -
    ĐBP - In 2026, Điện Biên province has 3 products in agriculture and tourism recognized as outstanding cooperative products, encompassing Pha Đin ecotourism and experiential services (Pha Đin Cooperative, Quài Tở commune), Spicy fish sauce seasoned purple sticky corn (Tiến Đạt Cooperative), and Solanum procumbens tea bags (Tủa Chùa Solanum Procumbens Cooperative, Tủa Chùa commune).
  • 'Boosting modern agricultural development

    Boosting modern agricultural development

    ECONOMY -
    ĐBP - Facing requirements for agricultural restructuring toward modernity, at the recent 4th Session, the Điện Biên provincial People’s Council passed Resolution 23 on support policies for agricultural sector development toward concentrated, green, smart, and sustainable commodity production, which is expected to create new momentum, drive modern agricultural development, and elevate added value.
  • 'Promoting value of Điện Biên agricultural products

    Promoting value of Điện Biên agricultural products

    ECONOMY -
    ĐBP - Shifting crop structures linked to value chain production, forming concentrated raw material areas, and intensifying trade promotion are opening new directions for Điện Biên agriculture. Many characteristic products - such as tea, coffee, and rice - are step-by-step affirming quality, elevating value, and enhancing market competitiveness.
  • 'Racing to complete new coffee and macadamia planting season

    Racing to complete new coffee and macadamia planting season

    ECONOMY -
    ĐBP - In implementing the provincial People’s Committee’s Plan No.1850/KH-UBND on new coffee and macadamia planting, localities across Điện Biên have launched simultaneous campaigns and accelerated planting operations since late June. The newly planted areas are now being urgently completed, with efforts focused on meeting the plan within the appropriate planting season and ensuring the targets are achieved.
  • 'Vietnamese language training for students entering Grade 1

    Vietnamese language training for students entering Grade 1

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - During early August days, across Vietnamese language enhancement classes in Điện Biên province, ethnic minority children preparing to enter grade 1 received guidance on numerous basic skills - ranging from holding pens, reading, writing, and recognizing letters to communicating and building learning habits - helping them gain confidence to step into new learning environments.
  • 'Điện Biên enriches its OCOP product portfolio

    Điện Biên enriches its OCOP product portfolio

    ECONOMY -
    ĐBP - Building on its potential and advantages, Điện Biên is stepping up the development of One Commune One Product (OCOP) products in a direction that emphasizes diversification, quality improvement and greater added value. These efforts are gradually enriching the province’s OCOP product portfolio, strengthening product brands, expanding consumer markets and contributing to rural economic development.
Load more