National Tourism Year opens in Can Tho
Last night, February 21, tens of thousands of people flocked into the central of the Mekong Delta City of Can Tho to attend the opening ceremony of the National Tourism Year – Mekong Can Tho.In the afternoon, roads leading to Hoa Binh avenue were crowded because this was the place for a procession of flower cars, carrying flower-made symbols of 13 Mekong Delta provinces.
The procession started at 5.30pm, led by a car with the symbol of Can Tho City, followed by the symbols of Long An, Ben Tre, Vinh Long, An Giang, Soc Trang, Ca Mau and others. Following flower cars were hundreds of artists performing variety shows. The procession was warmly cheered by the audiences.
When the procession ended at 6.30pm, the audiences moved to the major stage in Con Cai Khe, around 3km from Hoa Binh avenue to participate in the opening ceremony and to watch fire-works.
The organised prepared seats for 6,000 delegates and audiences but the actual number of viewers was nearly 8,000 so thousands of people had to watch the ceremony through a huge screen installed outside.
Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh Trong hoped that this event will contribute to promoting tourism development in the southern region and in Vietnam in general and to turn tourism into an important economic sector.
This is the first time this significant tourism event organised in the south. Can Tho expects to welcome 2 million visitors in 2008.
THE KEY ACTIVITIES OF THE YEAR OF NATIONAL TOURISM MEKONG - CAN THO 2008:
Street Festival in celebration of the Year of Tourism
- Time: 18:00-19:30 on Feb 21, 2008.
- Location: Hoa Binh Ave., Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City.
The 2008 Year of National Tourism announcing ceremony
- Time: 20:00 on Feb 21, 2008.
- Location: Bai Cat Area along the Hau River, Cai Khe Islet, Can Tho City.
Ninh Kieu Quay Festivals
- Time: Feb 21 – 25, 2008
- Location: Ninh Kieu Quay, Can Tho City
Mekong - Can Tho 2008 Commercial & Tourist Fair
- Time: Feb 21 – 26, 2008
- Location: Can Tho International Fair & Exhibition Center
The Mekong Delta Cuisine Festival
-Time: Feb 21 – 26, 2008
- Location: Hoa Su Tourist Spot, Cai Khe Islet, Can Tho City
Seminar on Traveling Tours and the Mekong Delta Tour Guide Contest
- Time: Feb 23, 2008.
-Location: Can Tho International Fair & Exhibition Center
Miss Mekong Delta Contest Final
- Time: 19:00 on Feb 23, 2008
- Location: Phu Sa Tourist resort, Au Islet, Can Tho City.
Water sports events (Parachuting, Parasailing, Waterskiing, Jet - skiing, Hydrofoil…)
- Time: Feb 21 – 27, 2008.
- Location: Phu Sa Tourist resort, Au Islet, Can Tho City.
Mekong Expo 2008 International Fair
- Time: April 29 – May 5, 2008.
- Location: Can Tho International Fair & Exhibition Center.
Other activities:
- Tourist artistic photo exhibition.
- The Mekong Delta Singing Contest.
- Amateur Folk Music Performances.
Night of Colored Lanterns to celebrate April-30-1975 Victory
- Time: 20:00 on Apr 29, 2008.
- Location: Ninh Kieu Quay, Can Tho City.
The Mekong Delta Ngo Boat Racing Festival
- Time: Apr 30, 2008.
- Location: Khai Luong Canal, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City.
The Nationalwide Traditional Boat Racing
- Time: May 07, 2008.
- Location: Khai Luong Canal, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City.
The South-west Delicious Fruits Festival
- Time: May 5 – 11, 2008.
- Location: My Khanh Tourist Village, Phong Dien District, Can Tho city.
The Peoples’ Cultural & Artistic Festival
- Time: July 4 -7, 2008
- Location: The City Cultural House, Can Tho City.
Construction Exhibition Fair
- Time: July 3 – 7, 2008.
- Location: Can Tho International Fair & Exhibition Center.
The Seminar on Waterway Culture in Tourist Activities
- Time: July 4, 2008
- Location: Golf Hotel, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City.
International Trade Fair
- Time: Aug 28 – Sep 3, 2008.
- Location: Can Tho International Fair & Exhibition Center.
The Seminar on Potentials & Opportunities for the Tourist Development of the Mekong Delta.
- Time: Aug 29, 2008.
- Location: Golf Hotel, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City.
Can Tho International Airport Opening Ceremony
(Can Tho – HCMC – Hanoi air route).
- Time: Sep 2008
- Location: Can Tho International Airport, Binh Thuy District, Can Tho City.
The Fourth Sport and Cultural Festival of Southern Khmer Ethnic Minorities.
- Time: November 2008
- Location: O Mon District, Can Tho City.
Nationwide Museum Conference
- Time: Nov 2008
- Location: Can Tho City Museum.
Can Tho Bridge Opening Ceremony
- Time: at the end of Dec. 2008
- Location: Can Tho Bridge, Cai Rang District, Can Tho City.
International Agriculture Fair
- Time: Dec 3 – 9, 2008.
- Location: Can Tho International Fair & Exhibition Center.
2009 New Year Greeting Celebration – The 5th Anniversary Celebration of Can Tho City being recognized as a centrally-governed city and the Closing Ceremony of the Year of National Tourism.
- Time: 20:00 on Dec 31, 2008.
- Location: Can Tho Bridge, Cai Rang District, Can Tho City.
Besides the key activities listed above, folk festivals, sporting events, artistic & cultural performances and tourist events will be organized throughout the year of 2008 both in Can Tho City and in the Mekong Delta provinces.