In a speech, the Chinese Deputy Minster and Head of the 2010 World Expo Organisation Board said that the event is a forum for people throughout the world to promote cooperation and exchanges to create a harmony between people, city and the nature.

Following the opening speech by President Hu Jintao, a song and dance performance was held with the participation 3,500 artists from China and other countries.

192 countries and 50 international organisations are showing their culture under the theme “Better City, Better Life”.

On the occasion, a grand light and fireworks show was presented for the opening ceremony, attracting thousands of residents and tourists.

World Expo is a non-trade exhibition established in 1851 in London. This is the first time, after 159 years, World Expo has been held in a developing country.

Expo 2010 Shanghai is being attended by 189 countries and territories plus 57 international organisations, the highest number in the fair’s history.

The Shanghai World Expo is scheduled to last six months, until October 31 and expected to draw 70 million visitors from both China and abroad.

The Chinese Government has allocated approximately US$6.7 billion to the event.

At the Shanghai expo, the Vietnamese exhibition house, built on an area of 1,000 m2, features a traditional bamboo architecture and displays objects characteristic of by ancient cultures such as Dong Son, Sa Huynh and Oc Eo.

Diverse cultural activities including a fashion show, programmes to introduce Vietnamese culture and tourism will be undertaken during the exhibition.