HA NOI (VNS) — More than 20,000 people are expected to throw back mugs of beer at Viet Nam's Oktoberfests held in HCM City and Ha Noi.

Co-hosted by the German Business Association (GBA), the event is a replica of the world's largest beer festival held annually in Munich, Germany, for the past 205 years.

"We are proud that the GBA's Oktoberfests have become such popular landmark events with the Vietnamese and the entire foreign community in Viet Nam," said Kai Marcus Schroter, a GBA Board Member and event organiser, at a press conference held last week.

"In view of the 40th anniversary of German-Vietnamese diplomatic relations, we strive to hold an even bigger and better event this year," he said.

In Ha Noi, GBA is collaborating with JW Marriott Hanoi Hotel to host the capital's sixth festival from October 22 to 24.

Plans for a huge beer tent, with seating for up to 1,200 people, are underway and Bavarian menus are under development.

In HCM City, the 23rd German beer festival will take place at the Windsor Plaza Hotel from October 8-10, and October 14-17. Daily attendance could be as high as 2,000 visitors.

According to Reuters, the Oktoberfest in HCM City is ranked among the Top 10 Oktoberfests outside Munich.

The event organisers expect full crowds so they suggest buying for large groups early.

In Ha Noi, tickets can be purchased at the Delegate of German Industry and Commerce in Viet Nam, 1303 Vietcombank Tower, 198 Tran Quang Khai Street, Tel: (04) 38251420, or JW Marriott Hanoi Hotel, Tel: (04) 38335588.

In HCM City, go to the GBA's offices on the 5th Floor, Somerset Chancellor Court, 21-23 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 1, Tel: (08) 38239772. — VNS