Danang Holds New Year Get -Together for Foreign Friends and Partners

On 14 January, 2009, the Danang People’s Committee hosted a get-together for about 200 foreign organizations and individuals living and working in Danang on the occasion of the Vietnamese traditional New Year 2009.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of Danang People’s Committee Tran Van Minh briefed the socio-economic development of Danang in 2008, emphasizing remarkable events of external relation activities which helped promote the image of the city.

Mr. Joe Ghazzal of Global2000 Sdn Bhd from Malaysia was one of the selected few who were honored by the Mayor for his contribution to the Socio economic development of the city of DaNang. Global2000 is the Producer of the DaNang International Fireworks Competition (www.difc09.com.). The event attracted an estimated 1 million visitors including domestic and international tourist over 2 nights.

Joe Ghazzal with the mayor of DaNang City

On behalf of the Danang authorities and people, Minh wished all the foreign friends and partners a new year full of good health and prosperity.

Danang lures tourists with fireworks contest

Thursday, 1/8/2009, 15:20 Vietnam (GMT+7)

By Thanh Hai - The Saigon Times Daily

DANANG - The central city of Danang hopes to attract more tourists this year with an international fireworks contest on the west bank of the Han River March 27-28.

“Local tourism developers will launch more packages for the occasion,” said city chairman Tran Van Minh. The two outstanding tours introduced in the promotion program are Son Tra Peninsula and Ba Na cable car tours.

The city has so far organized a flower boat parade on the Han River, the Danang culinary festival and classical drama performances, or Famtrip, for Thai, Singaporean and South Korean holidaymakers.

Themed “The resounding Han River”, the fireworks contest will bring teams from Australia, the Philippines, Spain, China and Vietnam. Teams having competed in last year’s contest are not allowed to join the event until 2012.

Thanks to initial success and financial support from local businesses, the Government allows Danang to hold the event annually. “This is a good chance for the city to introduce its images to the world,” Minh said.

The festival is organized by the city government, VietArt Co., Global 2000 Co. and many sponsors with the highest sponsorship being US$300,000. The event will be broadcast on VTV1, VTV4 and DVTV.