Present at the opening ceremony were Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan, Minister of Culture and Information Pham Quang Nghi and leaders from central agencies and the Hanoi municipal Peoples’ Committee.

During the Spring Fair, various cultural and sports activities will also take place, creating an ebullient atmosphere for the event.

According to the organising board, the fair is expected to welcome between 15,000 and 30,000 visitors and consumers a day.

The 2006 Spring Fair also aims to mark the 76th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (February 3) and the upcoming 10th National Party Congress. It will last untill January 26, 2006.