The event, held by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee saw the presence of Politburo member and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen and Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, Phan Van Mai, highlighted the significance of the event to the southern hub’s socioeconomic and tourism development, saying that the municipal authorities will continue investing in the River Festival to form a chain of unique cultural and tourism events, thus helping Ho Chi Minh City attract more domestic and international tourists.
Over 1,000 artists and actors/actresses participated in an outdoor grand opera, titled “The Story of a River Season 2 - The Legendary Voyage”. Consisting of five chapters, the play combines history, cinematography, and entertainment characteristics to convey meaningful messages and stories about the development of Saigon - Gia Dinh - Ho Chi Minh City, a land of waterways.
The programme featured 3D mapping technology, water screens, water stage platforms, drone performances, and boat parades, among others, to create a colourful extravaganza party celebrating the river culture. Artistic fireworks displays were also a highlight of the opening ceremony.
Meanwhile, a fruit week, themed "Tren Ben Duoi Thuyen" (On the Wharf - In the Boat) will be held from June 4-10, featuring the distinctive cultural space of the southwestern waterways region.
A wide range of other activities will also form part of the festival, such as cultural and artistic spaces, a culinary competition, a river swimming tournament, a stand-up paddleboarding race, and performances of water motorcycles, parasailing, and sailboats. Discounts ranging from 10 to 60% will be offered for over 50 waterway tours.
With nearly 1,000 km of rivers and canals, Ho Chi Minh City holds the potential for developing attractive waterway tourism products connected with diverse historical and cultural relic sites in the city and other southern provinces.
