The first Ho Chi Minh City River Festival is chaired by the City Department of Tourism, in coordination with the Department of Culture and Sports, and other agencies, units, and localities. The festival's activities take place from August 4 to 6 at many locations in the city such as: Saigon Port - Cruise Passenger Port, Bach Dang Wharf Park, Lam Son Park, Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe Canal, Binh Dong Wharf, Suoi Tien Cultural Tourism Area and other tourist areas and destinations.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Cam Tu, Director of Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Promotion Center said: “The festival is organized with a series of unique cultural, entertainment, artistic and sports activities combined with experiential activities, shopping promotion programs, and ticket discount incentives for art performances to exploit the value of Ho Chi Minh City's river and sea resources. This is an event that marks a new development direction for the city's tourism industry, aiming to promote the development of products, typical tourism events, and position the city's brand”.

Cruise ships and yachts will parade continuously during the three days of the river festival. Photo: VU KHOA

A highlight of the festival is the nightly parade on the Saigon River, from Saigon Port to the Landmark 81 building area with about 30-40 cruise ships, yachts, and canoes of units operating tourism on the Saigon River. Along with that, the traditional boat race with 25 teams and 650 athletes from localities with strengths in boat racing in the South will create a special festival atmosphere for locals and tourists.

Along with that, air and water sports activities are continuously held such as: Paragliding, flyboard (flying with water jet board), high-altitude paragliding lighting show, water canoe performance, sailing, SUP interactive rowing activities... will bring interesting experiences to people and tourists.

Paragliding performance will create a unique highlight at the Ho Chi Minh City river festival. Photo: HONG GIANG

At this event, for the first time, Ho Chi Minh City organized the large-scale art program “The River Tells Stories” to recreate the formation of nature and people through the periods of Saigon - Gia Dinh - Cho Lon - Ho Chi Minh City. The program will have 5 chapters: Reclamation - Building the citadel - On the wharf, under the boat - Prosperous commercial port - Brilliant city by the river with the participation of nearly 700 actors and folk artists.

HONG GIANG