Vietnam's most famous sea festival officially kicked off in a colourful and dynamic ceremony held in Nha Trang city on June 8 night with the participation of President Truong Tan Sang and more than twenty thousands people from all corners of the country and foreign visitors.
The Nha Trang Sea Festival 2013, one of the biggest cultural events in the area, is part of efforts to promote sea tourism-based economy in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa as well as the economic might of sea and islands of Vietnam.
Addressing at the opening ceremony, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh underscored that Vietnam is striving to become a strong and prosperous country from marine resources as set in the Vietnam Marine Strategy until 2020.
He called on authorities and people of Khanh Hoa and other central coastal provinces to step up efforts to develop a sustainable sea tourism-based economy which would contribute to ensuring national defence and security, upholding the country's sovereignty and promoting socio-economic development.
This year's sea festival, themed "Nha Trang - Rendezvous", features over 60 activities, such as an exhibition on sea culture heritage, Khanh Hoa -Vietnam International Sea and Islands Tourism Fair, a carnival and other events forwards Truong Sa archipelago.
Under Vietnam Sea Strategy until 2020, the sea-based economy is expected to contribute 53 to 55 percent of the country's GDP and 55 to 60 percent of its export turnover.
The biennial festival, the 6 th of its kind since 2003, will last until June 11.