The 2011 International Boat Racing Festival, titled “Boat, Sea, Sand and Sun” officially opened in Mui Ne in the southern province of Binh Thuan on March 17.

At the opening ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan said this is the first festival of its kind ever held in Vietnam, creating opportunities for Binh Thuan and Vietnam as a whole to develop sea tourism and sailboat technology.  

Binh Thuan should increase economic exchanges and build a roadmap to attract foreign investors to its areas of strength, he said.

The highlights of the festival include a gala on promoting sailboat technology, sail boat performances by international teams from Hon Rom to Phan Thiet port, a light performance at Park Diamond hotel, a music show on Mui Ne beach stage and a scientific seminar on building Vietnam’s sea trade mark.

The festival, which is part of activities in response to the National Tourism Year 2011, will last until March 20.

(VOV)