Foreign tourists visiting Temple of Literature in Hanoi.

Nhan Dan- Hanoi today lauches the 2010 Tourism Year with the theme “Thang Long – Hanoi – Thousand Year of Convergence” today, on October 10 after months of preparations.

The large scale programme features various events throughout the year, aiming to promote the image of Vietnam in general and Hanoi in particular, in close co-ordination with the celebrations of 1000th anniversary of Thang Long – Hanoi.

The ceremony is held at Ly Thai To Park, with the participation of around 1500 international guests and local visitors. The image of old Hanoi is recalled through various art performances as well as the display of antiques items belonging to the old city. The artists and performers remake the old cultural rituals and performances, such as calligraphy, tea rituals, martial arts, poem recitals, and traditional handicraft work.

The highlight of the performance is a special performance in the central stage named “Thang Long Pre-destined Meeting”, a combination of various types of folk art. The five chapter performance features the different genres of traditional and modern artistic performances, such as Ca Tru, Chau Van, Quan Ho singings, and traditional and modern dances. The show ends with an ascending dragon, the image of the old “Thang Long” – now Hanoi.

Nguyen Van Tuan, general director of Vietnam’s National Tourism Administration said that The 2010 Tourism Year – Hanoi is the biggest tourism event in 2010 which will be organised throughout the year with various activities in different locations. Under the leadership of the government, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the campaign aims to attract more tourists and promote the domestic tourism market. This is also a chance for the capital city to impress visitors. The Vietnam’s National Tourism Administration has been coordinating and following the organisation of this event, so as to have a successful and effective campaign.

After the announcement ceremony, the 2010 Year of Tourism – Hanoi continues with various artistic, cultural and sporting events. The city plans to invest in various tourism campaign, contests, and festivals, including “Green Tourism Year”, or “Hanoi Culinary Festival”. It is also expected to promote tourism through speeding up the implementation of some tourism projects, such as Bat Trang tourism port, road to To Market, or the upgrade of Hai Ba Trung Temple. The focus of the year will be the Thang Long – Hanoi International Tourism Festival. Besides, there will be other festivals, such as the Flower Street Festival, Bat Trang Pottery Exhibition, Kite Flying Festival, etc. All of these festivals will be organised on a grander scale.

To prepare for the 2010 Tourism Year, Hanoi authorities have been paying greater attention to communications and advertising activities. It has been placing large sized billboards at major roads, making films like “Discover Hanoi” in various languages, sending publications to various international organisations, and participating in international tourism expos like that of Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei. The Hanoi Tourism Information and Promotion Center has set up a system of tourism signboards and trained the local tour guides to meet increasing demands.

With the organization of this event, Hanoi authorities hope to attract more tourists to the city. It also aims to raise awareness towards tourism, and to add to the celebrations of 1000th anniversary of Thang Long – Hanoi.

According to Mai Tien Dung, deputy director of the Hanoi’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the launching of the 2010 Tourism Year – Hanoi aims to help tourism companies prepare for the bigger events, so as to attract more tourists to come to Vietnam. This is a golden chance for Hanoi to introduce its potential to tourists. All the activities will be coordinated under the theme “Integration – co-operation and development”.