The Ethnic Board of southern Tra Vinh province will build 44 crematoriums to replace outdated ones used by the Khmer people in the region. Cremation of the dead is customary among the Khmer ethnic community in the region, who are mostly followers of Buddhist Theravada. The ash is then put in an urn kept at home or at pagodas. The VND44.6 billion ($2.1 million) project will run until 2015 and forms part of the province’s efforts to preserve the Khmer’s traditional culture while ensuring environmental hygiene. Over the past five years, Tra Vinh province has invested nearly VND53 billion in building almost 100 crematoriums at Khmer pagodas and residential areas. The locality is home to 141 Khmer Nam Tong (Theravada) pagodas which are scattered across eight towns and districts. (vietnamplus.vn Nov 21)
