The biennial Sea Festival in Nha Trang, in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa, will begin on June 8 and run for four consecutive days, it was announced at a press conference in Ha Noi on March 30.
The festival's activities will officially kick off at the April 2 Square by Tran Phu Road in the beach resort city, with a fireworks display held later in the night. Earlier on the day, festive goers can amuse themselves with performances of Spanish flamenco and traditional Japanese dance Bon Odori.
With many activities focusing on culture, arts, sports, tourism, fairs and workshops, the festival's organisers said they hope to introduce to people at home and abroad the natural beauty and culture of Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa as well as the friendliness and hospitality of the local people.
Khanh Hoa People's Committee Deputy Chairman and Head of the festival organising board, Le Xuan Than said with a variety of diversified activities the province aims to draw an increasing number of visitors to Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa and to keep them to stay longer.
Over the past two years, the province has seen a significant increase in international visitors, particularly Russians.
According to Than, the first direct flight from Cam Ranh International Airport - the main airport serving Nha Trang area - to Russia's Moscow will take off on April 5 and once every week and then twice a week as of September this year.
The coastal city of Nha Trang is located in the central province of Khanh Hoa province, 440km northeast of Ho Chi Minh City and around 1,300km from Hanoi.
Known for its miles of beachfront and the friendliness of its people, the city is flanked by nearly 10km of white-sand coastline, where the clear waters are warm throughout the year.
With a population of nearly 400,000, Nha Trang retains a friendly small-town atmosphere. Today, Nha Trang's beaches rank among the top beaches in the country.
According to organisers, up to 20 activities will take place ahead of the festival to amuse visitors.
A range of sports activities including bicycle racing, handball, volleyball and sailing competitions, and a national golf tour along with other arts and culture activities and seminars will be during the festival.
Tours to discover Nha Trang's islands and night fishing expeditions will be held during the festival among events such as beer, wine and food festivals, a cooking competition, kite flying and bicycle and vintage motorbike parades.
On the sidelines of the festival, the first ever International Sea Travel Expo 2013 will be organised from June 7-10, with the aim to promote and build the trademark of Vietnamese sea and island travel.