Children, aged between 10 and 14, selected from the Department of Arts, will present traditional and modern music and dance performances at the festival, to be held from April 13-29.

A dance with conical hats and white "ao dai" to the music of "Vietnam que huong toi" (Vietnam - My homeland) and a potpourri ethnic Thai dance and "mua sap" (dance with bamboo poles) are two programmes of entertainment during the festival.

According to Le Van Ngu, Director of the Children's palace, due to various reasons, the palace could not send Vietnamese children to the festival last year.

"I am very happy and proud that Vietnamese children are participating in the festival", said Yahya Akurt Turkish Ambassador to Vietnam. "From now on, this will become an annual event for Vietnamese children," he said, pointing to excellent relations shared by both nations over the past.

This year, the festival is expected to welcome children from over 50 nations.