TITC_On 17th July 2012, a press conference on the First Viet Nam International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (VIHABF)- Binh Thuan 2012 was held in Ha Noi by the Binh Thuan Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, HCM-based Chien Thang Service Co., Ltd (Victory-Mind company) and Viet Nam News Agency (VNA). The event had the attendance of reporters and journalists of Ha Noi's and central press agencies.
The VIHABF-2012 aims to celebrate the 67th anniversary National Day of Socialist Republic of Viet Nam (September 2nd, 1945 - September 2nd, 2012) and the 20th anniversary of Binh Thuan province's re-establishment (1992 - 2012).
The fiesta will be held from August 28, 2012 to September 3, 2012 and attract about 40-50 balloonists coming from 10-12 countries and territories as: Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, United Kingdom, USA, India, China, Hong Kong... and the home team Viet Nam.
There will be 20-30 huge balloons carrying theirs nations' flags and including ones with special shapes as: Felix cat, Golden pig, Ice cream cone, Elephant... According to Organizing Board, the fiesta area is opposite to Sea Links golf course, 706B road, Phu Hai Ward, Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province. The fiesta will take place with a sea tourism and trade fair (from 29th Aug. to 3rd Sept.) and international hot air balloon performance (from 31st Aug. to 3rd Sept.)
In addition, there will be performance of sports flying equipment from 8:30 to 17:00 daily during the fiesta such as parasailing, fabric wing aircraft, model aircraft, kite-flying competition... and other attractive music and cultural performances every night.
Specially, logo of the fiesta is a Thanh Long shape (dragon fruit), a famous speciality of Binh Thuan, stylized as a hot air balloon with slogan "Blue sea- white sand-yellow sunshine".
At the press conference, Head of the Photo Editorial Board (VNA), Mr. Pham Tien Dung also announced a photo contest entitled "Binh Thuan green space - hot air ballon aspect" in the framework of the VIHABF-2012.
About the preparation for the fiesta, Director of Binh Thuan Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Vice Head of Organizing Board of VIHABF-2012, Mr. Ngo Minh Chinh said the Province has currently 300 tourist accommodations including 10,000 rooms and many homestay accommodations to serve tourists on this occasion. In addition, safety and security for travelers, food safety and hygiene... will also be core concern of organizing board during the fiesta.
With unique ideas and careful preparation, the VIHABF-2012 promises to be an impressive cultural and sports event attracting the attention of numerous domestic and int'l tourists, contributing to improve tourism brand of Binh Thuan Province.
Thanh Pham