More than 10,000 Buddhist monks, followers and residents from across the country were present at Hoi An Pagoda in Thu Dau Mot City, approximately 30km from the southern metropolis, to attend the ceremony.

Attendees pray for peace and reincarnation of the deceased’s souls. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The event, jointly organized by the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and the National Committee for Traffic Safety, was to commemorate the victims and share the pain and loss with their family members.

It was also part of a series of events following on from the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, which is held on the third Sunday of November each year.

Leaders of the National Committee for Traffic Safety, Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Public Security pray with joss sticks at the ceremony. Photo: Tuoi Tre

At the ceremony, representatives of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha passed on the message of “Remembrance for the deceased, for the sake of the living.”

These services were aimed at praying for peace for the victims’ souls and to raise awareness of the devastating consequences of traffic accidents, thus enhancing public understanding and observance of traffic laws.

Over 10,000 people attend the requiem. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Traffic accidents claimed more than 6,800 lives and permanently disable 11,785 people in January-October, according to statistics released by the National Committee for Traffic Safety.

The deaths of the traffic victims, many of whom were very young, are a great loss to families as well as to society, while the injured victims are burdens on their families and the whole society.

Delegates release pigeons as a tribute to victims of traffic accidents and give the best wishes to their family members at the requiem. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Most of the accidents were put down to the drivers’ poor awareness and abidance of traffic rules, particularly speeding, driving in the wrong lanes, and drunk driving.    

Source: tuoitrenews.vn