Red River civilization to be celebrated in 2013 National Tourism Year

With the theme of “Red River Civilization”, next year’s National Tourism Year is set to kick off in the Northern port city of Hai Phong on May 11 next year.

As revealed by the event’s steering and organizing boards at a meeting in Hanoi on July 25, the opening ceremony will take place on the occasion of the 58th anniversary of the city’s liberation day, followed by a festive week with a wide range of activities. Highlights of the event include a culinary festival, a photo exhibition, arts performances and seminars, all of which aim to promote the rich legacy of the Red River Civilization.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh says the National Tourism Year 2013 is organized in accordance with the implementation of a socio-economic development program in the Red River Delta. He also hopes that the city of red flamboyant will join hands with other cities and provinces to bring about a successful National Tourism Year and promote the nation’s tourism sector.

The Red River plays a critical role as the cradle of Vietnamese culture. The river flows through Hanoi and its branching distributaries spread out to form a fertile delta. Thanks to the river’s great importance to Vietnamese community, its name evokes a concrete civilization, known as the Red River civilization, which is one of the main roots leading to the diversified culture of present-day Vietnam.