Ha Long hosts an annual cherry blossom festival. — Photo dantri

QUANG NINH (VNS) — Vice-chairman of Ha Long People's Committee Tran Trong Trung said about 500 branches of Japanese cherry blossoms would be displayed in downtown Ha Long during an annual cherry blossom festival.

The third cherry blossom festival, entitled "Peace – Propensity – Co-operation and Development" and to be held from April 2 to 5 in the northern coastal city, will include various art exchange activities by Vietnamese and Japanese artists. It will be held on a larger scale than the first two festivals, he said.

On this occasion, children from Japan's north-eastern region that suffered twin disasters of earthquake and tsunami in 2011, will give cherry blossom saplings to local children as thank you gifts for their support during the past four years.

The festival is being jointly organised by local authorities and the Wanokai International Culture Association. — VNS