The Hạ Long Carnival 2024 will be the first-ever carnival on the sea in Việt Nam. Photo courtesy of Quảng Ninh Portal

QUẢNG NINH This year, for the first time, the Hạ Long Carnival will feature performances and parades at sea and on the sandy shores of the popular UNESCO-recognised bay.

The announcement was made at a press conference of the People’s Committee of the northeastern coastal province of Quảng Ninh.

Nguyễn Ngọc Sơn, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of the province’s Hạ Long City, said the municipal annual signature is scheduled for April 28 and its novelty is the city's endeavours to hold an artistic performance and the first-ever carnival on the sea in Việt Nam.

The distinctive feature of this year’s festival, with the theme “Shining with the Wonder”, is the incorporation of musical art form that highlights the values of the World Natural Heritage of Hạ Long Bay.

Another special feature is the adaptation of Drone light technology combined with 3D mapping technology to depict the symbols of Hạ Long and Quảng Ninh.

The festival will feature renowned artists like singers Tùng Dương, Đông Hùng, Tô Minh Thắng, and boyband Dòng Thời Gian (Time Flow). It will also bring together troupes from Japan’s Hokkaido, China’s Guangxi, Laos, Thailand and Europe.

The stage is set to harmoniously combine elements both on the shore and on the sea, with hundreds of vessels participating.

The festival will conclude with a fireworks display combined with a parade of tourist ships and artistic performances of canoeing on the sea.

Sơn said: "Quảng Ninh is organising a Carnival Festival for the first time with a novel form that includes performances and sea parades along Hạ Long Bay, featuring elements of musical theatre art harmoniously blending with history and culture to highlight the World Natural Heritage by night, affirming its top-tier value."

Also on the national holiday on April 30 and May 1, the province will host 11 cultural, arts, sports and tourism activities.

The Beer and Chả Mực (Fried Grinded Squid) Festival will be held for five days from April 27 to May 1, where a record-breaking Giant Squid Sausage of Việt Nam created.

Some other notable activities include the opening ceremony of a culinary pedestrian street on April 20, and Lion-Dragon Dance Festival from April 27 to May 1.

There are other festivals attracting tourists such as the kite festival and the two-day festival at the Trần Quốc Nghiễn Temple from April 30 to May 1. - VNS