AN GIANG – Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected to visit An Giang's Ba Chua Xu (Temple of the Goddess) on the Sam Mountain to celebrate the annual spring festival that opens tomorrow night.
Preparations for the opening ceremony have been completed, according to Thai Cong No, deputy head of the Mount Sam Tourist Site management board.
Apart from prayers and the lighting of incense by the devout, several cultural activities will be held at the festival including folk games and cai luong performances honoring Thoai Ngoc Hau and other pioneers credited with opening up the region for cultivation.
The four-month-long festival will also stage the legend of Ba Chua Xu and host folk song performances from the Mekong Delta region.
Quang Ngai Province to host sea, islands festival
HCM CITY—The central province of Quang Ngai has asked the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for approval to organise the first Sea and Islands Festival in Viet Nam, according to Nguyen Dang Vu, director of the province's Culture, Sports and Tourism Department.
The festival aims to promote the cultural traits of sea and island provinces and Southeast Asia, as well as boost the economy and develop tourism.
It will feature sea and islands' traditional festivities and games such as fish worshiping and boat racing.
The festival is expected to be held in April in Ly Son Islands District. Future festivals will be held every two or three years in Ly Son Island District, Quang Ngai City and tourism areas, including Sa Huynh and My Khe.
Viewers to choose winners of HCM City's HTV Awards
HCM CITY — HCM City Television set to poll viewers to choose the winners of this year's HTV Awards beginning on Monday.
From five nominees in each of nine categories — including TV series, music, and theatre — chosen by HTV and a panel of journalists, viewers will vote to narrow the field to three candidates in each category.
The first round of voting will close on March 12 and the final round, this tie to choose the award-winners, will be held from March 12 to April 5.
Five-minute video clips of the nominees will be broadcast every day on HTV 7 to help audiences make up their minds.
An Binh Bank, the event's sponsor, will give away one award to a performer with the "friendliest attitude" towards the public and who is actively involved in charity.
HTV Award winners will each get a cup and a cash prize of VND20 million (US$1,100). — VNS