The Nha Trang Sea Festival 2011, which opened in the coastal city of Nha Trang on the evening of June 11, will include over 60 cultural, arts and sports events as well as many big conferences on developing Vietnam’s marine-based economy.
Many of these activities aim to assert Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Truong Sa (Spratlys) Islands, which are a district of Khanh Hoa province.
The five-day festival is also expected to promote the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa’s potential for tourism and marine-based economy, and to call for more investment in the province.
At the opening ceremony of the biennial event, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan highlighted the importance of a marine-based economy and of building on the roles of sea and islands in the country’s socioeconomic development.
Vice Chairman of the Khanh Hoa People’s Committee Le Xuan Than delivered the festival’s message, appealing for people’s efforts to protect sea, islands, and marine environment and preserve sea values.
Mr Than also said Nha Trang city and Khanh Hoa province have many scenic places and friendly, hospitable inhabitants.
“Nha Trang is proud to be one of the world’s 35 most beautiful bays,†he added.