TUYÊN QUANG — Locally-made lanterns of different colours and designs decorated the northern mountainous city of Tuyên Quang on Saturday night at the start of the Tuyên Quang City Festival. 
A lantern parade, along with art performances and fashion shows, entertained tens of thousands of visitors to the annual Mid-Autumn Festival. 
In her opening remarks, Vice President Đặng Thị Ngọc Thịnh applauded the achievements Tuyên Quang has recorded in child care and education. She also praised the festival initiative, which captures the special cultural identities of Tuyên Quang Province and contributes to promoting the land and people of the locality to domestic and foreign tourists. 
The vice president asked the provincial Party Committee to continue disseminating revolutionary traditions, mobilise all resources to serve socio-economic development and national defence and security, and build a strong political system.  
Tuyên Quang should pay more attention to education and care for the poor, especially those in remote and disadvantaged areas, she said. 
On this occasion, the vice president presented VNĐ300 million (US$13,200) and 100 bikes to 100 underprivileged children. 
The festival will last until October 4. 
Tuyên Quang has more than 300 places of interest, including the nationally historic sites of Tân Trào, Kim Bình, Kim Quan, and Làng Ngòi-Đá Bàn. 
Steeped in revolutionary history and diverse ethnic culture, Tuyên Quang is celebrated as a place of cultural exchange for ethnic minorities in the north, and is featured in traditional festivals, legends and folksongs. — VNS