Flower festival to enliven port city

Hai Phong's northern coastal city preps itself for a hectic May after plans to host a flower festival and ceremony recognising Cat Ba archipelago as a special national relic site.

Vice Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Le Khac Nam released the information at a press conference on Tuesday, adding that activities to mark the 59th anniversary of the Hai Phong Liberation Day (May 13) will also be held concurrently.


The Flamboyant Flower Festival will celebrate the city's most distinctive and popular flower, flamboyant (or Royal Poinciana). It is scheduled to be held during May 9-11 and will showcase a wide range of activities, such as art performances, a trade, tourism and cuisine fair, and a boat race.

These activities will help the port city to promote its image and boost tourism.

Meanwhile, photographs highlighting the beauty of Cat Ba will be displayed at the event to celebrate the archipelago's certification as a nationally significant area.

Hai Phong will also introduce the biodiversity potential and advantages of Cat Ba archipelago in the run-up to canvassing for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation to officially recognise Cat Ba as a World Natural Heritage Site in 2014.

The flamboyant has been voted among the five most beautiful flowering trees in the world. It is also known by the names Gulmohar, Peacock Flower, and Flame of the Forest.