Danang

Central Danang city is moving full steam in its final preparations for the second Danang Cultural Festival 2005 from July 8 to 10, which promises to be even bigger than the first, according to organizers. 
Blue Islet (Dao Xanh) resort on Danang’s famous Han River will witness the festival’s opening and closing ceremonies as well as numerous superb performances, organizers said.

Famed DJs, laser show specialists from Ho Chi Minh City and renowned rock and jazz bands nationwide will provide dazzling performances at this year’s festival.

The festival will also offer diverse activities on Bach Dang pedestrian street, recently recognized as the most beautiful in Vietnam. Tourists can enjoy the central region’s traditional dishes, foreign and domestic arts works and an exhibition of craft villages.

There will also be a masquerade party and impressive air performances with huge air balloons.  Meanwhile, the Vietnam Guinness Book of Records will record the largest national and festival flags which will be lifted as high as 50 to 70 meters in the air.

“With all these efforts, we believe this year’s festival will be a greater success than the first one last year,” said Danang Tourism Department’s Vice Director Nguyen Dang Truong, also head of the festival’s organizing board.

Following the festival, the Danang Youth Union and HCMC Chien Thang Service Company will also hold first-ever balloon rides for tourists over the Han River from July 12 to 17.     

All revenue from the balloon rides will be handed over to Danang’s Needy Children Fund.

In the future, Danang city will cooperate further with Hoi An ancient town and Hue city to organize inter-regional festivals, Mr. Truong added.

On the occasion, Danang city will also inaugurate several tourist resorts and start two more ecotourism tours to Danang’s Son Tra peninsula and Hoa Bac commune, he said.