Binh Thuan reschedules int'l yacht festival

The organizing committee of the first international sailing festival in Binh Thuan Province has rescheduled the event to January 15-18 next year, citing possible bad weather as the key reason.
The festival was originally scheduled to take place from December 8 to 11, said Le Thi Thanh Lien, deputy director of the province’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
However, Lien said, the organizing committee is worried about bad weather would affect yacht performances. “The change of the date has nothing to do with the pace of preparations for the festival. Things are going on schedule.”
The organizing committee worked with HCMC in August to promote the forthcoming event which will feature around 200 yachts cruising from Ham Tien and Mui Ne to Khe Ga Cape and Hoa Thang beach in the province.
Along with the event, there will be conferences on how to promote the country’s tourism and yacht sectors, and music, art and cultural festivals.
The organizing committee has invited several foreign music bands to come to the province to entertain guests. Admission will be free.
Binh Thuan is teaming up with agencies and companies such as the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, Vietnam Airlines and XT Asia INC to host the upcoming yacht festival.
Lien said that together with the festival, the province would be organizing an international windsurfing competition from February 25 to March 4 next year to attract tourists who are fond of this water sport.
“We’re in the process of enriching our tourism products and services,” Lien said.
Binh Thuan expects to lure around 2.5 million local and foreign tourists this year.