Sports, Culture and Tourism week opens in Thai Binh

An incense-burning ceremony opened the 2010 Sports, Culture and Tourism week at the Tran Dynasty Temple relics in Hung Ha District of northern Thai Binh province.
President Nguyen Minh Triet and National Assembly vice chairman Uong Chu Luu attended the event on Saturday in Tien Duc Commune,home of Viet Nam's Tran Kings.
Addressing the opening ceremony, President Triet said Thai Binh was a province that boasts a diversity of culture, a legendary history and fascinating traditions.
The State leader asked ministries and central sectors to invest in the Tran Dynasty Temple relic site and Thai Binh Province to promote the development of the province and increase awareness of its fine traditions.
Triet said he believed Thai Binh was on the path to becoming a prosperous province, as envisioned by Uncle Ho upon his visit there.
The President beat the drum to open the week and wished pilgrims to the festival good health and a successful week-long event.
The day's performances included the presentation of a folk musical epic featuring more than 800 singers as well as drumming performances by provincial musicians.
The week is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors and features a programme of events that includes an exhibition of artefacts and historical documents from the Tran dynasty, shows about vocational training and local crafts as well as folk games and folk song and dance performances among other activities.