The Cambodian government has established a committee to organise a series of Kathin processions to temples in Kampuchea Krom, which is now in South Vietnam, marking an event that is being described as “unprecedented” at the government level.

According to a document signed by Prime Minister Hun Manet on October 4, the committee will be chaired by Men Sam An, president of the Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Association.

Chhin Ketna, secretary-general of the National Committee for Organising National and International Festivals, Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, Chay Borin, Minister of Cults and Religion, and Neth Pheaktra, Minister of Information, will serve as vice-chairpersons, with several other senior officials also joining the committee.

Kathin is a Buddhist festival that comes at the end of the rainy season. Traditionally, Theravada Buddhist monks spend the rainy season in retreat at their pagodas and this festival marks the end of that period.

Kathin, or Kathina, is a Pali word referring to the wooden sewing frame used to measure the length and width of the fabric that the robes of Buddhist monks are cut from and held in place if assembled from scraps. Lay Buddhists bring donations to the monks for Kathin, most importantly robes, another garment called a chivor and multi-layered cloth – or fabric to sew any or all of the three.

The committee is tasked with overseeing and organising processions to Khmer Krom temples in accordance with traditional Buddhist customs and preparing invitations and hospitality arrangements for leadership and guests. They are also responsible for planning, managing and overseeing the budget for the processions, which will be allocated from various sources.

However, there has been no specific confirmation yet as to which Buddhist temples will host the upcoming Kathin ceremonies, which will be held between October 18 and November 15.

According to the Khmer Kampuchea Krom for Human Rights and Development Association (KKKHRDA), there are 567 Buddhist temples and over 20,000 monks in Kampuchea Krom, which is now part of Vietnam. The region was once Cambodia's territory, but was ceded to Vietnam during the French colonial period. Citizens living there continue to maintain their religious traditions.

Chhort Bunthang, a researcher who specialises in cultural, educational and tourism relations at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, noted that in the past, some religious ceremonies were organised by some Cambodian citizens to pagodas in Kampuchea Krom, but such large-scale government events are a new development. 

He believed the event reflects the good relations between Cambodia and Vietnam, which allowed the ceremony to take place, and also highlights Cambodia's concern for the Khmer people living there.

“We all know that Kampuchea Krom is former Cambodia territory, but it is now under Vietnam's control. Even though it is governed by Vietnam, our fellow Khmer still maintain their traditions. The citizens, who are now Vietnamese nationals but of Khmer origin, should have the right to maintain kinship bonds as brothers and sisters, and connect through shared traditions and customs,” he said.

However, he emphasised that the traditional religious ceremony should not be interpreted in a way that affects Vietnam's political affairs, as Vietnam may not allow such ceremonies in the future.

He added that when Vietnamese leaders visit Cambodia, they often urge the Cambodian government to take care of Vietnamese citizens in Cambodia, and similarly, Cambodian leaders visiting other countries also request that those countries take care of Cambodians.

"Even though Khmer Krom people have become Vietnamese citizens, they are still of Khmer ethnicity, with Khmer origins. Therefore, the government's initiative to organise the Kathin ceremony shows its care for Khmer Krom people living in present-day Vietnam and helps to preserve traditions and religion,” he explained.

“Khmer Krom people have preserved their original traditions almost better than our brothers and sisters in the central regions. Our people in the central areas have made some adaptations and have been influenced by foreign cultures, but Khmer Krom people still uphold the original customs, which is commendable.

“We can share experiences and learn from one another to further enhance Khmer traditions, which will increase global recognition of Khmer identity,” he added.