Innovation is the word that puts a big challenge in the celebration of Ha Long carnival this year. Innovation is necessary, but the "brand" of Ha Long Carnival must be sustained. So how will that innovation be shown by the end of this April when there are the most vibrant and impressive annual festivals of Quang Ninh Tourism.
Quang Ninh’s distinct colors
On April 9th 2013, during the press conference held for the upcoming Carnival 2013, Mrs. Vu Thi Thu Thuy, Vice Chairman of Quang Ninh Provincial People’s Committee and Head of the Organizing Board of Carnival 2013 emphasized 4 new points that aim to promote strengths and minimize the limitations of the previous festivals.
The Carnival this year will absolutely be different from the previous ones because of the advantages coming entirely from the internal resources. This is shown by the fact that Quang Ninh province is responsible for building programs of design, preparation of script and director of the show, decoration of carriages with flowers for the parade in big splendor. Another change is that this festival will be launched in Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Hung Thang Ward, Ha Long City instead of the usual place in Bai Chay. This is a larger venue that can accommodate 10,000 people, an addition of 3,000 seats compared to 2012. The new location promises an exciting presentation in an open space to make visitors and actors feel at ease and safe. This will also expand the space of Ha Long tourism. Mr. Ha Quang Long, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism confirmed that “Carnival 2013 will showcase varied distinct cultural colors of different parts in Vietnam, traditional cultural beauty of ethnic groups in Quang Ninh province, thereby, introducing Quang Ninh people’s culture and hospitality to domestic and international friends”.
Another new addition for the carnival this year is that propaganda and promotion activities for Quang Ninh tourism will be held throughout April instead of just a week of tourism highlighted with many events funded by all economic sectors. Moreover, each unit and locality of the province involved in this carnival will have their own task. For instance, Ha Long city will be responsible for entire exclusive stands to serve the festival and the model vehicles will be utilized instead of hiring or purchasing of the event props as in the previous years. Also, all units will design and decorate programs by themselves to contribute to the festival.
According to the Organizing Board, on this occasion, there are many other activities that will be sponsored completely by the socialized budget including Beach Volleyball Tournament at Tuan Chau International Resort organized by Au Lac Limited Company; International Trade, Tourism and Gastronomy Fair that draws 160 registered enterprises ... With the theme: “Quang Ninh’s distinct colors - convergence and diffusion”, the Carnival will last 100 minutes with exciting and outstanding performance activities both on stage and in street. Of which, more than a half of the time is spent for street festival with the participation of over 5,000 actors and actresses, models, local residents and visitors. Moreover, 6 flower model vehicles will be marching along the street with impressive themes such as wonder’s legend, festive colors and “burnt stones”, island and marine tourism, Yen Tu sacred mountain, “convergence and diffusion”, etc to complete the entire package of celebration.
Enhancing the value of trademark
In 2007, after nearly 10 years of “being faithful” to the pure theatrical tourism festival, a new fantastic street festival full of colors named ‘Ha Long Carnival’ was launched with the theme “magical Ha Long night” really conquered the hearts of participants. The birth of Ha Long carnival resonated significantly as it brought a fresh atmosphere with a vibrant and dazzling space that drew participation from numerous famous artists, international troupes and the Quang Ninh local people. This event has really become a focal point that constituted the trademark of Quang Ninh tourism. As uttered by Mr. Ha Quang Long, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism “Hue is famous for Hue festival, Da Nang for fireworks, Da Lat for flower festival, Tay Nguyen for gongs festival and Quang Ninh for Carnival”.
After the success in 2007, Ha Long Carnival continued to flourish. It was held under the theme “ Welcoming the World’s Natural Wonder” in 2008, “ Ha Long- A rendezvous” in 2009, “Ha Long towards Thang Long” in 2010, “Ha Long Wonder - Shimmering Colors” in 2011 and “Quang Ninh’s distinct colors - convergence and diffusion” in 2012. It is a clear that Ha Long carnival, through the 7 years of different topics and innovation, has truly become the street festival for local people and visitors like the Mardi Grass of Brazil. The Carnival in 2013, which is eagerly expected by people from all walks of life, is promising to convey a particular characteristic and cultural beauty of Quang Ninh province.
Eyal Israeli – a tourist from Israel shared that “Last year was the first time I joined your carnival - very impressive! It was an unforgettable experience to mingle in the bustling and vibrant parade. That is the reason why I decided to come back for the new carnival”.
Mr. Ha Quang Long, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism added that Ha Long Carnival is extremely significant in terms of exploiting and promoting tourism potentials of this northeastern province, contributing to enhance the competitiveness of the province in international integration process. Indeed, Ha Long Carnival is currently regarded as an attractive tourism product. Through this event, the image of Quang Ninh is boosted, tourism demand is stimulated; and Ha Long’s values are promoted. This will also help Quang Ninh obtain positive results in terms of investment attraction and meeting indicators of increasing tourist number and revenue from tourism. The increasing tourist numbers, impression and satisfaction of tourists are considered as “safe tickets” for Quang Ninh to pave the way of integration and development.
The events celebrating Ha Long Carnival 2013:
- From April 11th to April 13th: Sakura Festival – Ha Long 2013 at Lan Be Central Park (in Ha Long city) with the theme "A Japanese cultural feature in Ha Long ".
- On April 14th: Bunpimay Festival for Laos students at the Quang Ninh Teaching College.
- On April 17th: Receiving the certificate of special national relic – Bach Dang Relic and celebrating 725 year anniversary of Bach Dang victory in Quang Yen Town; the opening ceremony of the 1st Quang Ninh – Hai Phong Boat Racing Tournament crossing Bach Dang River, at Rung ferry station in Quang Yen Town.
- On April 25th: The Final Round of Best MC on Ha Long Bay Contest at Vietnam – Japan Labor Cultural Centre, with the participation of 12 contestants.
- On April 26th: Folk games at Thanh nien tourism area.
- From April 26th to May 1st: Trade fair for tourism and gastronomy at Thanh nien tourism area with 160 stores.
- On April 28th: The final round of beach volleyball tournament at Tuan Chau international resort.
- From April 26th to May 1st: Laser light performance at the Cot 3 Cultural Square, Ha Long City.
- A wide range of culture, sports and tourism activities are held at tourism centers of Van Don, Uong Bi, Co, Mong, etc.
Cam Nang
