After the great success of DIFCs of 2008, 2009 and 2010, Da Nang has been gearing up the largest musical fireworks competition display of DIFC 2011 on the Han River banks on April 29 and 30, 2011.

The international standard teams of China, Italy, South Korea, the UK and the host team Da Nang – Viet Nam will challenge to “wow” spectators  with pyrotechnic artistry with music. The Chinese team of Panda Fireworks with their unforgettable display at the Opening Ceremony of Beijing Olympic 2008 will once again attract Vietnamese crowds as their brother team of Dragon Fireworks did at DIFC 2009. The Italian Team of Parente Fireworks, backed by a century of experience, has been seeking new methodologies and transforming them into real stories narrated by fireworks. The Korean team of Hanwha Co. thrilled viewers by the spectacular shows at 2002 FIFA World Cup and 2005 APEC Summit. The British team of Jubilee Fireworks won the “Champion of the Champions” at the British Fireworks Championships. The fledgling host team Da Nang – Viet Nam is getting great progress in their own designs and artistry with  harmony of fireworks and music. All the teams are eager to show spectators their stunning displays.

The unique difference between DIFC and other fireworks competitions is that DIFC is staged within two nights featuring five  state – of – art world – class shows, while others last in a month. On the theme of “the Sparkling Han River”, the Da Nang sky will again be lighted up by Vietnamese images and Da Nang specificities. The crowds will not only be astonished at fairy – like  fireworks effects but also be absorbed by the sweet and strong rhythms of music.

“Da Nang is of great breakthrough! The event is a good chance to attract large volumes of tourists who can enjoy five shows within two nights, while in other international fireworks competitions viewers may not see all displays because those take place at different weekends”  said Mr. Joe Ghazzal, CEO of Global2000 International, who is the consultant of the event. Like the previous DIFCs, security has been planned for the safety – first DIFC 2011. Safety for the teams, and for millions of spectators is prerequisite for a successful and unique DIFC in Viet Nam.

We are looking forwards to the teams’ secrets unveiled on 29 and 30 April, 2011.     

Vietnam set to organise coffee festival in March

Vietnam, the world’s second biggest coffee producer after Brazil, will organise a national-level coffee festival this March in its biggest coffee growing province to boost the development of the sector and export, the organising board announced January 6.

The Central Highlands province, Dak Lak, will host the 2011 Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival from March 10 to 13 in its hub, Buon Ma Thuot City, said Dham ENuol, vice chairman of the Dak Lak Province People's Committee.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has officially recognised the Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival as a national-level event held every two years as of this year, the provincial leader told a press conference in Ho Chi Minh City on January 6.
 
This year’s event is the third time after the first and second in 2005 and 2008, respectively.

The opening ceremony and closing ceremony will take place at the March 10 Square in Buon Ma Thuot, directed by Vietnamese-Australian Le Quy Duong.

The opening ceremony will be a “Thanks giving to coffee show” while the closing event a coffee world night, said Ly Thanh Tung, director of the Dak Lak Province Center for Promotion of Trade, Investment and Tourism.

He added that taking place in organising the four-day festival are the ministries of Foreign Affairs; Industry and Trade; Agriculture and Rural Development; Culture, Sports and Tourism; Information and Communications, Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association, Trung Nguyen Coffee Joint Stock Company, Vinacafe Corporation, the People’s Committees of the Central Highlands provinces of Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Dak Nong and Lam Dong.

Coffee is a major export earner in Dak Lak, the province’s vice chairman Dham ENuol told the Thursday press conference.

“Our province harvests about 400,000 tonnes of coffee beans a year. Last year’s coffee export revenue was $600 million, which is about 60 per cent of the province’s total revenue yearly. Coffee brings about 300,000 direct jobs and another 100,000 indirect jobs in Dak Lak, whose population is 1.8 million.”

This year’s festival expects to welcome 450,000 visitors, said Tung, Dak Lak chief of trade, investment and tourism promotion. He added the first and second time in 2005 and 2008 saw 300,000 and 350,000 visitors, respectively.

A seminar on the sustainable development Buon Ma Thuot coffee will be held on March 11 with the participation of representatives from coffee growing countries like Brazil, Indonesia, Colombia and Ethiopia.

MAJOR ACTIVITIES

1) Exhibition of coffee and related products: key in the festival
Location: Provincial Museum,

2) Street festival: Convergence of emotions
March 10

3) Free coffee

4) Seminar: sustainable development Buon Ma Thuot coffee
- International conference on production and consumption
- Workshop on developing Buon Ma Thuot coffee brand

5) Cultural activities, arts and tourism:
- Vietnam Charming fashion show: 8 pm, March 11
- Music shows
- Cultural programmes on local culture and folk games of Central Highlands ethnic minority people

Invitation to Media
To Editors, Business and Financial Editors, Bureau Chiefs and Correspondents

Celebrating the New Year 2010 at the Dalat Flower Festival, Vietnam

The 2010 Dalat Flower Festival will be held in Dalat from January 1 to 4. This is one of the biggest festivals to start those celebrating the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi. 

With the theme ‘Dalat-the Kingdom of Flowers’, the festival is expected to become an international event, so the organizing committee has invited famous flower-growing countries Japan, the Netherlands, the U.S. and China to be part of the festival. Ben Thanh Tourist is offering four day/three night tours to Dalat to experience Flower Festival 2010 that leave on December 31 and January 1.  

Dalat is a place of beautiful waterfalls, tortuous mountain roads and unique architecture in villas hidden under the pine trees. It is popular at Christmas and New Year as the atmosphere here is cool all year round. Moreover, it is the most attractive resort and tourism hub in Vietnam. Coming to the Flower Festival, visitors have the opportunity to see many valuable and rare kinds of flowers.

On the way to Dalat, the tour stops for sightseeing at Damb’ri Waterfall in Bao Loc. This is one of the most beautiful and impressive waterfalls in Lam Dong province. After Damb’ri, the tour takes in Thien Vuong Co Sat Pagoda with its three Buddha statues made of agarwood. After arriving in Dalat and checking into the hotel, Ben Thanh Tourist will hold an evening party with flowers and red wine to celebrate New Year 2010.

On the second day, the tour visits Lat Village at the foot of Langbiang Mountain to conquer the peak and take a panoramic view of Dalat City in the mist. In the afternoon, the tour visits Domain de Marie Church and Hang Nga Villa. Then tourists will share the joy with local people at Flower Festival 2010 at Xuan Huong lake.

The following day, the tour moves to Truc Lam Monastery, Robin Hill, Tuyen Lam lake, Phoenix Mountain and the Valley of Love to contemplate the mystery of Da Lat Su Quan. Tourists will love the horse-drawn carriage ride around Xuan Huong lake. The final stop is the Dalat Market to buy specialties for relatives.

Source: Ngoc Minh/Saigon Times

New website on ASEAN Defense-Military Meetings

PM Dung vows success on eve of ASEAN presidency

World media to be pampered

HA NOI — All preparations for media outlets have been completed for the upcoming third Asian Indoor Games (AIG) later this month, said Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Tran Chien Thang at the second AIG Media Conference yesterday in Ha Noi.

* 9th ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting ( FMM9)

25 May 2009 to 26 May 2009
Hanoi, Vietnam

ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting, in addition to pursuing the ASEM dialogue under the first and third pillars (political dialogue, co-operation in other areas), is also responsible for the overall co-ordination of the ASEM process.

For more information, please visit the official website of FMM9 at http://www.fmm9.vn

The 2009 Ha Long Tourism Festival will be held as a carnival of the sea, air and land from April 25-May 2, according to the Quang Ninh provincial People’s Committee.

The opening ceremony, themed ‘Ha Long – World Natural Heritage Rendez Vous’ will feature traditional art performances on floating stages around Bai Chay Ferry areas, creating a unique and festive ambiance. 

Also included will be firework shows during the closing ceremony to the theme of “Night of Shining Heritage’.

The events will be broadcast live on VTV.

During the week-long Carnival, various other side activities will be organised, including a food festival featuring dishes from the northern and northeastern provinces, performances by local and international artists, athletic competitions and business fairs.

VietNamNet/VNA