Soaring: The fifth International Kite Festival Bay cung Viet Nam (Flying with Viet Nam) opened yesterday at the Vung Tau Intourco Resort in Vung Tau City. — VNA/VNS Photo Lai Minh Dong

BA RIA-VUNG TAU  (VNS) —  The fifth International Kite Festival kicked off yesterday at the Vung Tau Intourco Resort in Vung Tau.

The festival, titled Bay cung Viet Nam (Flying with Viet Nam) this time, is a biennial cultural and tourism event organised by Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.

Ho Van Loi, director of the province's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and head of the organisation department, said: "This is an occasion for Vietnamese artists to exchange experiences with those from other countries as well as for Viet Nam to promote its image as a friendly and hospitable country to international tourists."

The festival has brought together 70 leading kite artists in Viet Nam and 60 others from 21 countries and territories in all parts of the world.

Australia Paul Rowe said that activities such as kite exhibitions and kite-making classes would help visitors know about new technologies in kite-making.

Kim Long Xuyen of HCM City said he has taken part in all four previous festivals but found this one the most interesting.

"Both Vietnamese and international participants are bringing their best kites to the festival to display and compete," he said.

"I can learn more about the use of technology in making traditional Vietnamese kites."

The festival will also feature art kites with a light, a flute, and with and without frames, a Rokkaku kite competition, and an art kite performance at the Paradise Resort golf course.

The festival will go on until May 12.

Beach location

The ancient city will host the annual kite competition on the beach at the Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort and Spa next Saturday. A total of 100 competitors from Hue, Da Nang, Sa Pa, Phan Thiet, Can Tho, An Giang, Cambodia and Hoi An will be contesting in the one-day event for a total cash prize of VND46 million (US$2,200).

The organising committee will also give away awards for the most impressive and uniquely designed kites.

The annual event, which was introduced in 2005, aims to boost beach festivals during the summer break.

Last year, competitors demonstrated their large kites shaped as snake, octopus, butterfly, dragon and heart.

Hoi An is home to the most beautiful beaches Cua Dai and An Bang. Last year, An Bang, 3km east of Hoi An City, was voted as one of the top 100 beaches in the world by CNN Summer Travel. — VNS