The “Thai Pongal Festival 2025,” organized by INCHAM in collaboration with the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City and the Tamil community in Ho Chi Minh City, under the direction of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, could be an important event to honor the culture and traditions of this community, as well as to connect Indian community members with local cultural activities. Such events typically combine artistic performances, cuisine, music, and traditional ceremonies

At this festival, Anchay TV also attended as an invited guest and served as the media partner and main sponsor of the event. Mr. Lê Vinh Thao, the founder of Anchay TV, also participated in performing traditional rituals alongside the Indian community during the ceremony.

In his opening speech at the festival, Consul General Vipra Pandey expressed his happiness at being part of organizing the traditional ceremony of the Indian community in Vietnam and shared: “The Harvest Festival – Thai Pongal Festival is an important festival for farmers in Southern India and Northern Sri Lanka. The festival is also known by other names such as Bihu and Makar Sankranti, and is celebrated all over India.

Representatives from the People’s Committee of District 1, Mr. Nguyễn Văn Hiếu, Deputy Head of the Department of Internal Affairs, and from the District Party Committee of District 1, Mrs. Hoàng Thị Tố Nga, Standing Deputy Secretary of the District 1 Party Committee, also sent congratulatory flowers. Notably, this event saw the participation of leaders from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, including Mrs. Nguyễn Minh Bảo Ngọc, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Promotion Center, and Mrs. Vương Đình Nguyên Hằng, Deputy Head of the Accommodation Department, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, who joined in the important ritual of offering fire and ingredients during the Pongal Pooja rice-cooking ceremony.

Also during the ceremony, the Indian community participated in cultural exchange and performed traditional singing and dancing to celebrate the festival. The Vietnam-India cultural and artistic exchange activities were also showcased to honor the friendship between the two countries on this special cultural festival day.

The event was also attended by the leadership of the Vietnam-ASEAN Friendship Association, as well as the Director of the Southeast Asian Studies Department at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ho Chi Minh City, Associate Professor Dr. Phan Thị Hồng Xuân. She also presented engaging performances that deeply showcased the cultural essence of both India and Vietnam, which were managed by students from the university.

Mr. Mohan Ramesh Anand, former Chairman and Executive Committee member of the Indian Business Association in Vietnam (INCHAM VIETNAM), expressed his joy and extended heartfelt thanks to the Anchay TV team for their presence and active contribution to the media coverage of the Thai Pongal Festival. Anchay TV’s participation not only helped spread the unique cultural values of the festival but also attracted widespread attention from the community, making the event more meaningful and a great success.

Some additional images for the event:

View Google Drive