A street parade at the Hạ Long Festival. — VNA Photo
HÀ NỘI — The Hạ Long Festival, one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the north of Việt Nam, has been rescheduled for National Day on September 2, four months later than usual.
The event, part of the Hạ Long – Quảng Ninh Tourism Week, is held annually by the northern province of Quảng Ninh to mark National Reunification Day (April 30) and International Labour Day (May 1).
The province has worked with relevant agencies to keep a watch on the COVID-19 situation and prepare for the event at a later date.
The festival was first held first in 2007 featuring typical cultural and tourism attractions in the north combined with international street parades. It is the highlight of the week to kick off the tourism season in the province with the participation of popular artists.
Last year, the number of tourists visiting Quảng Ninh for the festival was up 18 per cent at 625,400.
Quảng Ninh is home to Hạ Long Bay, which was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 and 2000. Over the past 20 years, Hạ Long Bay has welcomed nearly 20 million domestic and international tourists, making it one of the top tourist destinations in Việt Nam and the region.
According to the provincial Department of Tourism, it welcomed 14 million visitors last year, including 5.7 million foreign guests, an increase of 14 per cent from 2018.
This year, Quảng Ninh has set a target of welcoming 15.5 million tourists including 6.5 international visitors. — VNS
OVietnam