Nearly 150 fishing ships took part in the annual Nghinh Ong festival for fishermen to worship the whale praying for good luck at sea on August 3rd at Binh Dai fishing port in Binh Thang Commune, Binh Dai District, Ben Tre Province.
The three-day event includes a ceremonial offering by elderly villagers to show gratitude to the whale, reverently known as Ca Ong and a get-together for local outstanding fishermen.
Besides, during the festival, Ben Tre provincial authorities will announce the foundation of the Binh Thang Commune Fishing Union (one of the first unions in the province), present scholarships for fishermen’s children, open a made-in-Vietnam fair, show films to propagandize the national sovereignty over the seas and islands as well as offer gratitude houses for needy fishermen.
Red Flamboyant Festival – The preparation for National Tourism Year of the Red River Delta region -
To successfully organize events in the National Tourism Year 2013, People's Committee of Hai Phong City developed plans for the first Red Flamboyant Festival - Hai Phong 2012.
The festival aims to create a new tourism culture product held annually based on flamboyant image as a symbol and a second name of Hai Phong City. The festival will also contribute to highlight the theme of the National Tourism Year of the Red River Delta region 2013. Besides, through the festival, Hai Phong expects to promote image and attract tourists to the city and also open opportunities to develop tourism products, link domestic and international tourism market.
As scheduled, the first Red Flamboyant Festival - Hai Phong 2012 with the theme "Sparkling the red of Hai Phong" will be held from 9-10 June, including culture, arts, sports, parades activities ... The highlight of the festival will be "Red Flamboyant Night" is scheduled to take place at 20:00 at Hai Phong Opera House Square. In addition, the festival also has other diversified activities such as: "Miss Hai Phong” contest; Hai Phong Trade – Tourism Day; performance of installation art, bike parade on "Hai Phong Red Flamboyant Street”; pilot opening pedestrian streets, tourism night market…
An innovative idea introduced to engage local people and visitors in the festival is the organizer encourages audiences to wear red costumes and vote "The most impressive red costume”.
To ensure the success of the festival, the city is urgently boosting activities as: renovating and upgrading urban areas; keeping environment clean, traffic safety… Also, the city promotes activities of the festival and images of Hai Phong’s tourism on mass media…
The organization of the festival will be a preparation for the National Tourism Year 2013 in the city of flamboyant and make a difference to attract the interest of people, domestic and foreign tourists.
Over 100 travel firms to take tourists to Suoi Tien
More than 100 travel firms have pledged to take tourists to Suoi Tien Cultural Park in HCMC’s District 9 to enjoy the month-long Southern Fruit Festival 2012 beginning on June 1.
With the participation of travel firms, the festival’s organizers expect that the number of visitors this year would increase strongly compared to 1.6 million arrivals recorded last year.
Many foreign travel agencies have also included this fruit festival into their tour programs.
"We have announced the festival program early so that travel firms can add it to their tours. Besides, we have promoted the festival to foreign tourists who are visiting HCMC and attracted a large number of tourists,” said a representative of the organizers at a conference introducing the festival on Tuesday.
Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia will bring their art troupes to perform at the festival.
Huynh Dong Tuan, deputy general director of Suoi Tien Cultural Park, said that some 1,500 tons of fruit was sold out last year. The organizers will ensure an abundant supply of fruits for this year’s festival, and fruits will be sold at 20-40% lower than market prices.
The fruit festival is organized by the HCMC Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the HCMC Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Suoi Tien Cultural Park. The city government has funded the organizing of this festival with around VND400 million.
Taking place on June 1-23, the Southern Fruit Festival will consist of many activities such as the fruit floating market with 70 booths, the fruit decorating competition, musical performances and traditional games.
Besides, around 700 farmers will introduce local specialties to visitors at the festival.
Nearly 150 fishing ships took part in the annual Nghinh Ong festival for fishermen to worship the whale praying for good luck at sea on August 3rd at Binh Dai fishing port in Binh Thang Commune, Binh Dai District, Ben Tre Province.
