Festivities set to boost Ha Long image

The Week of Ha Long Tourism 2011 will be the biggest ever, with a series of festivities in support of the superb bay’s bid for the New7Wonders title this year.
The event, scheduled to take place at the Ha Long tourist site in Quang Ninh province from April 28-May 1, will cover a large range of festivities, from culture and arts, including a poetry night, to sports such as an international beach volleyball final round, culinary arts and an international trade fair.
In the spotlight will be the Ha Long carnival festival, which will entertain audiences with art performances, a parade and a public street party on the night of May 1 at the Bai Chay tourist site, with everything on a magnificent scale, said organisers.
The carnival has been designed to revive local cultural traditions such as the rituals of the Royal Citadel God procession at the famous Tra Co communal house in the northernmost township of Mong Cai and the Creator procession in the Yen Hung district. The organising board has also invited art troupes from China.
2011 is the decisive year for Ha Long in its bid for the New Wonder of Nature, which was launched by the New Open World organisation more than 10 years ago through the www.natural7wonders.com website.
Ha Long bay has already been recognised as a World Natural Heritage site by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).