QUANG NINH (VNS)— The Ha Long Carnival on Saturday night will transform the city in the northern province of Quang Ninh into a colourful destination.

In celebration of the city's 50th birthday, the carnival will include an art performance and parade featuring local artists, models and dancers. It will also promote the image of Quang Ninh as a tourist destination and spotlight the beauty of Ha Long Bay – one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

Tourists will gain insight into local culture, with traditional art and colourful costumes on display. A group of 60 Dao ethnic people living in the province will perform their traditional dance and ritual to pray for good crops and prosperity.

The opening ceremony will be broadcast live on Viet Nam Television's VTV1 and VTV4 channels.

This year's carnival will offer 10,000 seats in order to serve the increasing number of tourists visiting Ha Long.

A range of cultural and sports programmes will take place across the province this summer, such as a beach volleyball championship, a fine arts and photo exhibition on Quang Ninh and a cuisine and trade fair.

The provincial People's Committee also organised a cherry festival, Lao Bunpimay festival and boat racing tournament early this month.

The Ha Long Carnival played an important role in making the province's tourism sector more competitive, said Vu Thi Thu Thuy, vice chairwoman of the committee.

It also created an opportunity to promote Ha Long Bay as a tourist destination and raise awareness of heritage conservation among both locals and visitors.

"We have organised the festival for six years and learned many lessons," she said. "This year, the organising board will try to guarantee social order, security and high quality tourism services. More than 13,000 rooms are available to serve tourists during the festival." — VNS