Nearly 2,000 people will march in an extravagant parade today to kick-off the Ha Long Tourism Festival 2008 in Quang Ninh Province.

The parade will begin at the old Bai Chay Ferry Landing and end at Ha Long Road with 150 artists hula dancing while a convoy of decorated vehicles display the beauty of the coastal city of Ha Long.

The opening ceremony will feature a floating stage on the sea and a procession of 50 ships and six barges that will decorate the surface of the bay.

Major activities will take place at Bai Chay Bridge, Cua Luc Bay and supporting events will be held at the Tra Co tourism centre, Van Don, Ha Long and Uong Bi.

Domestic and international art groups will put on a series of performances, including an art and fashion festival by northern provinces, a unicorn-dragon dance show, a classical concert in the Dau Go Cave, a flag-hoisting ceremony on Ha Long Bay, an international volleyball contest and a Miss Ha Long pageant contest.

Visitors can please their appetites while they please their eyes and ears, as the events will be complimented with food and drink exhibitions.

The annual event began in 2003, and is expected to attract around 15,000 tourists, according to Nhu Thi Hong Lien, vice-chairwoman of the provincial People’s Committee.

Ha Long Bay is currently one of the leading sites in an online competition to select seven new natural wonders of the world.

"All the activities will aim to promote the area and get people to vote for Ha Long on the website www.new7wonders.com. Tickets for Ha Long Bay tours will be half price during the festival, and the tours will be free in the opening day (today)," said Lien.

Many spots including hotels, landscape attractions and harbours will have computers so that people can vote during the festival.

Quang Ninh Province has organised a fireworks display for tonight as part of the Ha Long Tourism Festival. — VNS