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Calm before the storm: The Han River will be the setting for an upcoming fireworks festival. — Photo Ngoc Ha |
DA NANG — Against the backdrop of the Han River, the fourth Da Nang international fireworks competition will take place in this central city tomorrow and Saturday evening. The competition is part of a series of events for national tourism year 2011.
Competitors including Jubilee Fireworks from England, Hanwha from South Korea, Parente Fireworks A&C SNC from Italy and Panda Fireworks from China will join hosts, Viet Nam. Each team will perform for about 20-25 minutes.
Locals and visitors who cannot get a seat in the 25,000 capacity grandstand can enjoy fireworks through newly - installed sound systems along the river banks.
The city has also allowed 12 pleasure-boats to anchor near the performance area to provide more views of the fireworks.
The occasion will also feature a parade of imperial boats and flower floats; a food and drink festival; fine arts, book and antique exhibitions, a display of Non Nuoc stone statues and marine sport contests.
"This is the fourth time I've come here as a consultant for the international fireworks contest; I can feel the expectant atmosphere," said Joe Ghazzal, chairman of Malaysia's Global 2000 Co.
"The banks of the Han River are an ideal position for the fireworks competition," he said. "The people of Da Nang are friendly and hospitable, too."
Ghazzal affirmed that the shows should continue as an annual event as they had helped promote the city.
Tickets run low
Plane and rail tickets for Da Nang are running low, with the event falling on the Reunification Day (April 30) and May Day holidays.
Jetstar Pacific said there were almost no seats available for flights from Ha Noi and HCM City to Da Nang until Saturday, and return flights between May 2 and 5 were also fully booked.
Vietnam Airlines ticket agents in Da Nang also reported the same situation, saying the firm would have to provide eight more flights to Da Nang from Ha Noi, and six more from HCM City to meet demand.
Do Thai Lam, deputy head of the Da Nang Railway Station, said trains from Ha Noi and HCM City were also fully booked.
He added that the company would increase train services and add several more coaches.
Le Viet Hoang, director of the Da Nang Transportation and Coach Station Management Co, said the number of coaches had increased 130 per cent over normal demand.
Travel agencies in Da Nang said the number of tourists who had registered for tours had risen dramatically over last year's figure.
Transport was also proving difficult to hire. For example, a 45-seat tourist coach for a three-day Da Nang-Hoi An-Ba Na tour is now available for VND15 million (US$810) compared to the normal price of only VND5 million.
Meanwhile, the local Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said hotels were now near full capacity, but nearly 12,000 rooms were still available in Hoi An and Lang Co.
Local authorities said they are working hard to control the prices of fireworks tickets and other services. — VNS