Ho Chi Minh City’s first river festival will take place between August 4 and 6 to popularize the images of the city and its people, cultural features, food, and tourism among local and international travelers.
The municipal Department of Tourism and the Department of Culture and Sports will organize the fest at the Saigon Cruise Port, the Bach Dang Wharf Park, and the Binh Dong Wharf, along the banks of Nhieu Loc – Thi Nghe Canal, and in various tourist sites citywide.
Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa, Director of the Tourism Department, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Wednesday that the festival demonstrates her agency’s efforts in building and expanding tourism activities to lure visitors and introduce the city’s historical and cultural beauty.
The fest will spread a message of preserving cultural values and honoring the importance of rivers and canals.
The event aims to call on residents to protect the environment and follow a responsible lifestyle.
“The festival is also meant to develop Ho Chi Minh City into a modern riverside city that can tap the resources of rivers and the sea to contribute to positioning its brand as a cultural identity-rich river city,” Hoa underscored.
The highlight of the river festival will be an outdoor art show titled ‘Saigon – River Tells Stories’ at 8:00 pm on August 6 at the Saigon Cruise Port.
The show will depict the city’s establishment and prosperity with river accompaniment.
Some 700 artists, directors, experts, consultants, and staff workers will join the art program.
Before and during the fest, a slew of promotional and discount programs will be launched to prompt residents to experience tourism services and products and entice travelers to the city.
The fest will feature ‘Tren Ben Duoi Thuyen’ (At the Wharf, on the Boat) spaces in the Nhieu Loc – Thi Nghe Canal area in District 1 and the Binh Dong Wharf in District 8.
The event will also delight visitors with an exhibition of farm produce and local specialties, and water-based sports activities such as a boat race, flyboarding, and a parasailing show, together with SUP (stand-up paddleboard) tours.
Visitors will be satisfied with the nighttime river parades of some 40 boats and cruisers that will run on the Saigon River from the Saigon Port to the 81-story Landmark 81 in Binh Thanh District to introduce the festival and tourism activities.
Main Activities During The Festival
The opening ceremony of the festival will take place on August 4th at the Thu Ngu flagpole heritage site in downtown Ho Chi Minh City.
August 4: “At the Wharf, Under the Boat” event takes place in District 1 (Nieu Loc – Thi Nghe canal, Dien Bien Phu bridge to Thi Nghe bridge) and District 8 (along the embankment of Ben Binh Dong Road, Ward 13, District 8).
The evening of August 4 and 5: Display and showcase agricultural products and specialties to support farmers in promoting and selling their products. Enjoy folk art activities during the daytime and art programs featuring Don Ca Tai Tu.
August 5 and 6: Water sports activities at Bach Dang Wharf, including a boat race with teams from Thu Duc city, districts, provinces, and cities.
The exchange performance program “Heritage Regions” features a variety of heritage types, including the Art of Don ca tai tu, Xam singing, singing Van and performing Hau Dong, Bong Roi Dance, Quan Ho Bac Ninh, Folk Songs of the Three Regions, etc. The program will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on August 4 and 8, at Bach Dang Wharf Park.
Parallel to these, there will be other sports activities such as paragliding performances, flyboard demonstrations, and art lighting shows at the Bach Dang Wharf park area, along with traditional boat racing performances by professional athletes.
In addition, there will be water canoe performances and interactive SUP rowing activities at Nhieu Loc and Thi Nghe wharf areas, promising an interesting experience for both locals and visitors.
During the time frames of 19h – 19h40 on August 4 and 5, and from 21h – 21h40 on August 6-8, there will be a parade on the river. Around 30-40 boats from various tourism units will be beautifully decorated, showcasing the festival and promoting tourism activities along the Saigon River, from Saigon port to Landmark 81.
Source: Tuoi Tre News
