BURSTING TO LIFE: The opening ceremony of the Đà Lạt Flower Festival 2019. — VNS Photo Việt Dũng

ĐÀ LẠT — The 8th Đà Lạt Flower Festival 2019 officially opened on Friday (December 20), with thousands of visitors descending on the Central Highlands province of Lâm Đồng for the event.

With the theme 'Đà Lạt and Flowers', it will be held until December 24 in Đà Lạt City and Bảo Lộc City.

Public areas around Xuân Hương Lake, the main streets and flower villages are decorated with locally-grown, colourful flowers.

Đoàn Văn Việt, chairman of Lâm Đồng Province People’s Committee, said: “Lâm Đồng has favourable natural conditions, landscape, soil and climate for agricultural and tourism development.”

The province is also Việt Nam’s leading locality in terms of hi-tech agriculture, and tourism is designated to be a driving force for its economic growth.

GREAT EVENT: Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình speaks at the opening ceremony. — VNS Photo Việt Dũng

Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình said: “In 2019, Lâm Đồng's economic growth increased by 8.5 per cent,” which exceeded the set plan, while locals’ incomes and living conditions have seen improvements.

“[The festival] is an opportunity to honour the diligent flower farmers as well as promote the beauty of the city," he added.   

Many other events are taking place as part of the festival, including an international flower and bonsai exhibition and the Đà Lạt Flower Trade Fair, as well as the Lâm Đồng Tea and Silk Culture Weekend and a fashion show for silk and brocade made in Bảo Lộc.

A conference on linking production and attracting investment into agriculture will also be held.

Around 500,000 visitors attended the 2017 Đà Lạt Flower Festival. — VNS