A 'Then' singing performance at the opening ceremony
Nearly 1,000 singers and dancers brought to the opening ceremony thirteen colourful and beautiful arts performances praising the land and people of the Viet Bac Region, which includes the six provinces of Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Thai Nguyen and Cao Bang.
Launched in 2009, the programme has been held alternately among the six locales with the aim of advertising the land, people, culture and tourism potential of the region.
Over its seven editions, it has helped boost regional tourism while contributing to socio-economic development there.
During the 2009-2015 period, the region welcomed nearly 33 million visitors and earned a total tourism revenue of over VND 16,300 billion (US$ 729.4 million). The region’s tourism sector posted an annual growth rate of 16%.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam expressed his pleasure at the encouraging results brought about by the programme over the past few years, particularly its contributions to boosting tourism, developing authentic tourist products and attracting visitors.
He stressed the need to design more attractive tourist products and tours to link attractions in the region together while taking advantage of information technology in tourism promotion activities.
It was vital to increase co-operation with other major tourist centres around the country and enhance administrative reforms so as to attract more investment from prestigious tourism groups and businesses, he added.
Measures should also be taken to raise public awareness of keeping the environment clean and green in order to leave a good impression on visitors to the region, he directed.
The four-day programme features assorted activities, including a folk arts festival, a beer festival, a beauty pageant and sporting events.
Visitors can also taste the signature dishes of minority nationalities in the mountainous northern region and enjoy the ancient tunes of then singing of the Tay ethnic group.