Cambodia prepares for traditional New Year Celebration

PHNOM PENH, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has been preparing for the celebration of its traditional New Year, which will arrive on April 13; security and public order has been strengthened and leaders begin sending blessing messages to their compatriots.
"On the auspicious occasion of the celebration of the Year of the Dragon, which will arrive in a short period ahead, I'd like to bless all of Cambodian people with longevity, nobility, happiness and strength," Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Wednesday during the closing of the annual conference of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
In a separate message to his Cambodian people on the eve of the New Year, the premier highlighted the last year's progress in the country's social and economic development and noted remarkable infrastructure development such as roads and bridges under the assistance of China, Japan and South Korea. "In the New Year, the Government of Cambodia will further strengthen stability, security, and peace nationwide in order to push for substantially social and economic development," he said.
He also called for the people of Cambodia to stick to " national solidarity and unity" in order to build a country with happiness and prosperity.
To celebrate the occasion, President of the Senate Chea Sim also issued a blessing message, appealing to Cambodian people to unify in order to build Cambodia as the country of the rule of law, the country of progress, peace, stability and prosperity.
The Year of the Dragon will begin from 7:11 p.m. on April 13. Traditionally, to greet the New Year angel, Cambodian people light candles, incense sticks and offer the angel's favorite fruit-- banana--as well as other fruits and soft drinks.
Families bring food, cash, and praying things to offer to Buddhist monks in pagodas in order to dedicate to their ancestors and wish for longevity, good luck, happiness and prosperity in the New Year.
The New Year celebration is also the time for young girls and boys gather and enjoy playing a variety of traditional games, dancing and singing in vicinities of pagodas and tourism sites throughout the country.
Meanwhile, the Phnom Penh Municipality issued a directive, ordering authorities at all levels in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, to strengthen security and public order for the people during the three-day holiday.
The municipality also appealed to bus companies and taxi drivers not to raise fees during the holiday in order to facilitate migrant workers to travel from Phnom Penh to visit their hometowns in various provinces.
According to the municipality, to greet the New Year, fireworks will be shot into the sky at Wat Phnom, the capital's historical and cultural site, at the first night of the New Year and concerts will be performed at different places in the capital to entertain the New Year revelers at nights.