The event took place at Bai Cat (sandy area) in Cai Khe ward in Ninh Kieu district to feature the theme “Mekong gardens and rivers”. It was attended by Politburo Member and Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh Trong, Secretary of the Can Tho municipal Party Committee Nguyen Tan Quyen and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh 6,000 delegates and representatives from 13 provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta region and five Mekong River countries, namely China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia also attended the event.

The opening ceremony was highlighted with a firework display and art performances by more than 1,000 artists to depict the spirit of the region’s predecessors in cultivating and building southern land, the wet rice civilization, the current industrialisation and modernisation process, as well as the solidarity among ethnic groups, including the Kinh, Khmer, Chinese and Cham peoples.

Addressing the event, Deputy PM Trong spoke highly of the great effort made by the tourism sector and Mekong Delta provinces in making thorough preparations for national tourism year. The Mekong Delta region has many beautiful places, good fruit gardens and plenty of seafood. Local people are friendly, and hospitable and have a high sense of solidarity, a revolutionary tradition and rich cultural identities. Therefore, a National Tourism Year 2008 will be a good chance for Can Tho and other Mekong Delta provinces to boost tourism development, he added.

Meanwhile, a Mekong Delta tourism and trade fair was also held in Can Tho on February 21, attracting more than 30 businesses from the region and Ho Chi Minh City.

During the 350-pavilion fair, products made by traditional crafts villages such as wickerwork from Xuan Lai village and bronze products from Dai Bai village and traditional culinary arts were also showcased.

Travel agencies took the opportunity to showcase their services as well as regional cultures, traditions, festivals, culinary arts, and beauty spots at their pavilions and in workshops.

Promotional programmes of trademarks and tourist products and the Mekong Delta beauty contest were also on the agenda.

Some photos of National Tourism Year 2008 in Can Tho:

A panorama of the street festival Khmer dancing Hoa (ethnic Chinese) people Processions in Mekong Delta provinces Representatives from Mekong River countries Bac Lieu dude  Don Ca Tai Tu (Traditional music and amateur singing Performance) Calligraphy display in Ninh Kieu ferry Photographic exhibition