TOURIST ATTRACTION - Cao Văn Lầu Theatre with its conical head shape is one of the unique buildings and attractive destinations in Bạc Liêu. File photo from baobaclieu.com.vn

BẠC LIÊU — The Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Bạc Liêu is planning to organise a souvenir design contest to highlight the unique traits of the province's history, culture and people.

Lý Vỹ Triều Dương, deputy director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, said the winning souvenirs can be used as gifts for tourism promotion events and domestic and international conferences in the province.

Dương said the province’s souvenirs are diverse in models and types, but cannot meet the needs of tourists.

The contest contributes to enriching the brand identity of the province’s tourism, attracting tourists, and increasing tourist spending, he added.

Vietnamese individuals and organisations, especially craft villages, cooperatives and handicraft manufacturers, are encouraged to participate in the contest.

Entries can be a product or a group of products featuring craft villages, architecture, historical sites, and cultural heritage imbued with Bạc Liêu’s identity, and tourism sites recognised by the Mekong Delta Tourism Association.

SPECIALISED SKILL - The craft of salt-making in Bạc Liêu was recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2021. VNA/VNS Photo by Chanh Đa

Bạc Liêu has many craft villages that are famous for salt making, rice paper making and weaving.

The salt-making craft was recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2021.

The province is also known for unique buildings such as the Musician Cao Văn Lầu Theatre and Memorial Site and the mansion of “Công tử Bạc Liêu” (a famous playboy of his time).

Bạc Liêu is known as a cradle of tài tử music, and the birthplace of the guru of cải lương (reformed) Cao Văn Lầu’s most famous vọng cổ (nostalgic tune) song Dạ Cổ Hoài Lang (Night Drumbeats for the Absent Husband), which was composed in 1919.

The memorial site is where Lầu was buried in 1976.

Meanwhile, the mansion, now Bạc Liêu Dude Hotel, was built in 1919 and designed by a French architect with many materials and furniture imported from France.

The province also has ten region-recognised tourism sites such as President Hồ Chí Minh Memorial House in Vĩnh Lợi District, and Xiêm Cán Pagoda, Hồ Nam Eco-tourism Area, and a man-made beach at Nhà Mát Resorts’ man-made beach in Bạc Liêu City.  

The contest's products must be high quality and durable. They must be made of friendly-environmental materials, easy to pack and transport, and safe for health.

Contestants can send their entries to the Bạc Liêu Tourism Promotion Centre in Bạc Liêu City from August 1 to September 30.

The organiser will give one first prize, one second prize, two third prizes, and three consolation prizes for the best designs.

The contest’s award ceremony will be held on the sidelines of the Việt Nam Salt Industry, which will be held in Bạc Liêu in December. — VNS