HCM City (VNA) - The second Ho Chi Minh City River Festival, scheduled to kick off on May 31 evening, promises to leave lasting impression on local residents and visitors about this distinctive riverside metropolis.

Rivers, canals, and waterways imbued with unique cultural values of the riverine region have contributed to tourism development in HCM City.

The Nha Rong - Khanh Hoi Wharf and Saigon Cruise Port are bustling on these days with preparations for the opening ceremony and a series of festive activities. Over 1,000 artists and actors/actresses have been practising around the clock for an outdoor grand opera titled "The story of a river Season 2 - The legendary voyage".

Consisting of five chapters, the play combines history, cinematography, and entertainment characteristics to convey meaningful messages and stories about the development of Saigon - Gia Dinh - Ho Chi Minh City, a land of waterways.

The programme will also use 3D mapping technology, water screens, water stage platforms, drone performances, and boat parades, among others, to create a colourful extravaganza party celebrating the river culture. Artistic fireworks displays will also be a highlight of the opening ceremony.

Meanwhile, a fruit week themed "Tren Ben Duoi Thuyen" (On the Wharf - In the Boat) will be held from June 4-10, featuring the distinctive cultural space of the southwestern waterways region.

A wide range of other activities will also form part of the festival such as cultural and artistic spaces, a culinary competition, a river swimming tournament, a stand-up paddleboarding race, and performances of water motorcycle, parasailing, and sailboats. Besides, discounts ranging from 10 to 60% will be offered for over 50 waterway tours.

Director of the municipal Department of Tourism Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa expressed her hope that the annual festival will help establish the city as a riverside metropolis with rich cultural identity.

With nearly 1,000 km of rivers and canals, HCM City holds the potential for developing attractive waterway tourism products connected with diverse historical and cultural relic sites in the city and other southern provinces.

Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Van Dung highlighted the significance of the event to the southern hub’s socio-economic and tourism development, saying that the municipal authorities will continue investing in the River Festival so as to form a chain of unique cultural and tourism events, thus helping HCM City attract more domestic and international tourists./.