According to Hoang Van Ke, Vice-chairman of the Hai Phong City People’s Committee and head of the delegation, the event is the largest maritime festival in Europe. Held every 4 years, it attracts millions of tourists who can watch convoys and formations of ships at sea as well as taking part in cultural, artistic and culinary events as well as other interesting activities.

The Vietnamese delegation will bring to the Festival typical means of maritime transport in Vietnam such as a 17 tonne sailing boat, five small bamboo boats and five coracles.

Some members will weave the coracle boats at the festival and 30 sailors from Do Son beach wearing traditional dress will re-enact the rowing of the imperial boat on the shape of a dragon.