Ha Long Bay festival kicks off

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

VietNamNet Bridge - The opening ceremony of the 2009 Ha Long Bay Tourism Festival was held in Bai Chay tourism area and Ha Long city center on April 25.

This year’s annual festival is dedicated to the sea, land and sky.

The festival is a massive cultural and sports event in order to highlight Quang Ninh Province’s beauty and geological wonders and Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After the opening ceremony, traditional performers walked in procession along the streets of Ha Long.

There were more than 2,000 performers at the festival. Many came from difference countries, such as India, South Korea, Spain and China.

Many of the events took place on the streets, including lion dances, stilt walkers and a ‘bicycle circus.’

The street carnival also introduced visitors to the province’s ethnic people’s customs.

Hundreds of boats were decorated with flags, lights and flowers. In evening, there was a firework’s display over the bay.

The organization committee said the festival attracted more than 300,000 visitors on the first day. More visitors are expected over the coming days, especially with the public holidays on April 30 and May 1.

The organization committee said this year’s special event, “Night of Shinning Heritage,” on May 2, which will introduce the wonders and culture of Ha Long, with many singers from around the world and a fireworks show to close the festival.

During the week-long carnival, various activities will be held, including a food fest featuring dishes from the northern and northeastern provinces, performances by local and international artistes, sports competitions and business fairs.

The Ha Long Tourism Festival will open from April 25 to May 2.

It is hoped that Ha Long will mesmerize visitors for it to receive enough votes to be called one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

For the duration of the festival, the organization committee has installed computers for free internet access across Ha Long City, such as the port, restaurants, hotels, Trade centers and boats, so that visitors can vote for Ha Long.

The visitors can vote online at www.new7wonders.com to vote for Ha Long as one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

Currently, Ha Long is standing third in the votes.