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Life's a breeze: Yachts race during the International Sailing Festival in the southern province of Binh Thuan yesterday. Yachts from 20 countries and territories took part in the four-day event. — VNS Photo Thuy Anh |
BINH THUAN — Yachts from 20 countries and territories took part in a spectacular show performance at an international sailing festival that opened yesterday in the central coastal resort town of Phan Thiet in Binh Thuan Province.
Among the countries participating in the International Sailing Festival Binh Thuan – Viet Nam 2011 were the US, the Netherlands, Russia, Sweden, Spain and Singapore. They will continue daily sailing performances until Sunday.
Twenty-one year old Nicholas de Cruz, who takes the helm position from Hobie 16 team from Singapore, said he found it interesting to sail there.
"Today's weather, with strong wind and waves, is wondering for sailing," he said.
It's the first time his team took part in a sailing event in Viet Nam, although it has participated in events in other countries, including China, Japan and Indonesia.
With the theme "Sailor, Sea, Golden Sand and Sun", the festival is the most significant cultural, sport and tourist event of the year in the southern coastal Binh Thuan Province.
The Czech band Jazz, Super Massive of Australia and two Russian bands, Natalia and Ilya, have performed between March 17-20 at Doi Hong in Phan Thiet city.
Today, a seminar on building Viet Nam's sea tourist brand will take place at Sealink Beach Hotel.
Speaking at the festival's opening ceremony yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan urged Binh Thuan to attract investment to develop the province into a sea tourist, sport and entertainment centre of national standards.
Nhan said the festival was an important activity to respond to the government's decision to shift focus on the coastal area from Binh Thuan to Da Nang, with the theme of beach and islands.
"The festival will help Binh Thuan share knowledge and experience with other countries to better promote its tourist advantages, especially sea sports," said Deputy Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Van Thu.
Viet Nam has set a target for its tourism industry to achieve a 10 per cent share of the country's GDP in 2020, up from last year's four percent, according to Nhan. — VNS