The Hanoi Chapter of the Union of Friendship Associations will organise the festival entitled "Hanoi Welcomes APEC 2006" to introduce the country and the capital city to foreigners, said Dao Thanh Huong, deputy-chairwoman of the chapter.

The highlight of the festival will be a special art performance at Ly Thai To Square by 100 artists from the Vietnam Opera and Ballet Theatre, which will be live televised.

A march for peace will start at 8.15 am following the performance. The event is expected to attract some 5,000 people, including local residents and foreigners alike.

Hanoi-based artists and their counterparts from Britain, France, Russia, China, Japan, Australia and the Philippines will also perform in a concert starting at 8 pm on November 18 at the Cultural Friendship Palace. They will be joined by a 40-member international choir.