The people’s committee of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province held a press conference in Ho Chi Minh City on March 7 to introduce the Marine Festival 2006 with the theme “Impressive and Friendly” on the occasion of the province’s 15^th founding anniversary.

The Marine Festival 2006, which will be held from April 11 – 14, aims to promote Ba Ria-Vung Tau province’s economic potential and call for investment and economic cooperation, especially in the field of tourism. The national contest “Ba Ria-Vung Tau Sea Beauty Queen” and the “Marine Festival Fair “ will make up the core of the festival.

In addition, the Festival has a number of cultural and art activities such as an artistic photo exhibition, sculpture camp, sand building and cuisine contests, traditional art performances, and music programmes to be held every night at sea supported by a laser light system. The most special item will be a performance involving shooting ancient cannons, the first of its kind, at Bach Dinh. The festival is expected to attract about 30,000 tourists to Ba Ria-Vung Tau.