The opening and closing ceremonies will be designed by Director Duong Thao, and the sea will be the major theme.

Various cultural, art and sporting activities will take place during the event, including the Cau Ngu (fish worshipping) ceremony, art performances, a fireworks display, and a wine festival, as well as a human chess competition, a kite festival and a lantern festival.

There will also be a seminar and a photography exhibition about the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago.

A fashion show and music programme will be held several days before the Sea Festival, with the participation of both Vietnamese and foreign artists from the Republic of Korea (RoK), China, France and Cuba.