The Nghinh Ong Festival, also known as the Guan Kung Greeting Celebration, opened in Phan Thiet city of central Binh Thuan province on August 19. 

Vice Chairman of the Phan Thiet City People’s Committee Dang Dinh Hieu, who is also the head of the Festival Organising Board, said the festival is a long-standing tradition of the ethnic Chinese community in Phan Thiet city. It is an event of cultural significance, reflecting the identity of the ethnic Chinese group and their wish for peace, happiness and good fortune for families and friends. 

The three-day festival activities will include a march of nearly 900 people through central streets of the city, royal dances and the masquerade acts of Chinese legends. 

The celebration will also continue with an enormous parade filled with costumed performers, mystical dragon outfits and lion dancers, with the highlight being a performance of the greatest dragon dancers from around the country. 

The festival was organised by the local government for the first time in 2006 and has since become an even larger tourism event. (VNA)