Laos: Requiem held for people killed in flooding in central Vietnam

Vientiane (VNA) – A requiem has been solemnly held for soldiers, officers and civilians killed in the recent devastating floods and landslides in central Vietnam by Vietnamese expats in Laos at Vientiane-based Phat Tich Pagoda.

The event also sought to raise funds for people affected by flooding in both countries.

This year’s severe flooding has wreaked havoc on five central provinces in Vietnam while the historic flooding in 42 years has also caused great damage to eight districts of Laos’ central province of Savannakhet over recent days, Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung addressed the October 23 event.

He expressed his gratitude towards Phat Tich Pagoda and Vietnamese people living in Laos for sending reliefs to affected residents in the two countries, saying it demonstrates a Vietnamese traditional custom – “the good leaves protect the worn-out ones” (which means people should help those who are not as lucky as them).

The diplomat also thanked Most Venerable Bounma Simmaphom, Acting President of the Lao Buddhist Fellowship Organisation for taking part in the requiem, illuminating the strong brotherhood between Laos and Vietnam.


Since October 17, Phat Tich Pagoda and the association of Vietnamese people in Vientiane have raised about 200 million LAK (21,630 USD) in fund for flood-hit people in central Vietnam and Laos. Half of the money was handed over to Ambassador Hung to help those in need in Vietnam.

On the same day, the Embassy of Vietnam in South Africa also launched an appeal for donations for flood survivors in the central region./.