(VOVworld) – Various activities have taken place inside and outside the country to welcome the New Year.

An art exchange on Dien Bien in spring was held on Wednesday in Dien Bien province. The program included performances in praise of the land and people of Dien Bien. The event was also part of activities to mark the 60^th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory on May 7^th, 2014.

The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Ngai province held an art program on Wednesday to raise funds for disadvantaged students and flood victims in the Central region.

Meanwhile, the Association of Vietnamese Buddhist followers in Japan held a ceremony to pray for peace in the new year at Nisshin Kutsu pagoda, Tokyo. Nun Thich Tam Tri said: "Calligraphy featuring “peace”, “heart”, “prosperity” and “Buddhism” is written at the pagoda as new year gifts. We hope that this will bring peace and happiness to Buddhist followers". 

Thu Hong, a Vietnamese student in Japan said an event like this ceremony is important to the spiritual life of Vietnamese in foreign countries. Hong and his friends get together on the occasion of the new year: "We meet and cook Vietnamese dishes on this occasion. We try to revive the spring atmosphere of the homeland". 

The Association of Vietnamese Buddhist followers in Japan was recognized as part of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in 2013. The association plans to expand its activities to assist the Vietnamese community in Japan.