Mekong Delta week to raise region’s profile

The first-ever Mekong Delta Week in HCM City will aim to raise the profile of the region’s trade, investment and tourism among local investors, residents and expatriates from June10-14.
The event, to be held in HCM City’s Phu Tho Stadium, is part of a larger programme orgainsed by the Mekong Delta Economic Co-operation-Kien Giang 2010 Forum.
Bui Ngoc Suong, chairman of Kien Giang Province People’s Committee, said the special week also celebrates the 120th birthday of the late President Ho Chi Minh, 35 years of liberation of South Viet Nam, and the 1,000th anniversary of Ha Noi.
The event will include activities that introduce customs of ethnic minorities who live in the delta, like the Cham, Hoa, Khmer and others, according to Dinh Trung Can, general stage director of the opening and closing ceremonies.
In addition, a photo exhibition, held in HCM City’s Lam Son Park until June 14, features 120 photographs about 13 delta provinces, their people and the area’s economic achievements.
During the week-long event, the people’s committees of HCM City and delta provinces will honour outstanding businesses that have greatly contributed to socio-economic achievements between the city and the delta.
In addition, music shows will be performed by singers from Cuu Long (Mekong) delta provinces and HCM City at the stadium.
As part of the event, a fair, including 500 booths set up businesses from the city and the delta region, will be held in the stadium.
One section of booths will be devoted to achievements between the city and the delta in industry, agriculture, trade and services, investment, architectural planning, transportation, urban planning, education, health and sports.
These booths will also present the area’s major industrial works and introduce projects that are seeking investment.
The trade booths will showcase products and services related to various sectors, including agriculture, food processing, aquaculture, textiles, leather, garments, fashion, construction materials, chemicals, tourism, banking, telecommunications, insurance and others.
Travel agencies, restaurants and hotels in the region will take part in the culture-tourism-cuisine booths.
In addition, products of traditional craft villages will be showcased at booths where visitors can make purchases or sign contracts with craftspeople.
Demonstrations of craft-making by artisans wearing traditional clothes will be held by representatives of handicraft villages.
Tai tu music (traditional Southern music) performances, featuring music from many localities in the delta, will also take place at the stadium.
A playground for traditional games of the region will be set up, and an exhibition of books and pictures about the Mekong Delta as well as a drawing contest on the delta will be organised for children.
During the week, the organising board will work with the Sai Gon Culture General Company and bookshops in HCM City to offer promotions on books and other publications about the delta.
The board and the Sai Gon Tourism General Company will encourage restaurants to offer discounts on delta food.
Traditional images of the Mekong Delta, such as the buffalo, rice fields, canoes, bamboo bridges, floating markets and others, will decorate the stadium area.