Le Xuan Than, Vice President of Khanh Hoa Province’s People’s Committee and head of the festival’s organising board, said this year’s Sea Festival was an opportunity for Khanh Hoa Province and Nha Trang City to spotlight the economic, cultural and tourism potential to local and foreign visitors.

The fourth annual seven-day festival features over 6 cultural and artistic events plus sporting and tourist activities, workshops and exhibitions along the beach and at the popular Ponagar Tower.

The festival will also set several new records for Vietnam, including the largest pot of pho (noodles), for more than 600 people, and the largest traditional orchestra, comprising 150 musicians.

Miss World 2004 Maria Julia Mantilla, Miss World 2006 Tatana Kuchrova and Miss Vietnam 2006 Mai Phuong Thuy will also join the Carnival along Tran Phu Street on June 9.

Tourists visiting the festival can take part in many community activities, like helping to paint the world’s longest oil painting, about environmental protection, along Tran Phu Street, and the Fishing Harvest Festival at April 2 Square on June 10.

Local residents and tourists can enjoy an international musical performance entitled Nong Len Ngon Lua Am Nhac (Burning the Fire of Music) on April 2 Square on Thursday or watch it live on VTV3. The event has attracted singers and musicians from six overseas countries.