Fun, frolics coming to Ha Long-Quang Ninh

[청석]

(16-04-2007)

The 2007 Ha Long-Quang Ninh Tourism Festival is set to begin at the Bai Chay Tourism Centre on April 28.

The week-long festival aims to promote the image of Quang Ninh and its cultural beauty after the inauguration of the Bai Chay Bridge, said organisers at a press briefing held last week in Ha Long City.

Organisers would also like to put the province on the map for domestic and international tourists, they said.

One of the main events will be a carnival held on April 28, the largest of its kind ever planned in the province.

Some 1,000 professional and amateur artists, along with local celebrities like Miss Viet Nam 2006, Miss Beach 2006 and Miss Photo 2006, will make an appearance during festivities.

A number of cars, decorated with colourful flowers, will join performing troupes from Viet Nam, China and South Korea, to welcome visitors and commemorate the weekend holiday.

Just before the opening ceremony, a group of stuntmen from HCM City will perform traditional Vietnamese acrobatics, said organisers.

Meanwhile, those looking out on Ha Long Bay will see hundreds of boats decorated with sails and dragons.

For people unable to make the trip, they can watch the carnival events live on VTV1.

Guests visiting on April 29 will get to watch fireworks and lasers at a show called Ha Long’s Fanciful Night. The programme will honour the land and people of Quang Ninh from the ancient past to more current times.

The festival, which ends on May 2, will wow guests with dragon dances, boat races, a food and drink fair and an international tourism and trade fair, as well, said organisers. Music fans can check out concerts and shows at Sung Sot and Dau Go grottoes, Ti Top Island and Cua Van Village. — VNS

---