Spectacular art and theater program with a budget of up to tens of billions of dong. Photo: Dinh Muoi.
On the evening of May 11, in Hai Phong, the 2024 Red Poinciana Festival program took place with the theme “Hai Phong – Brightening up the heritage region” associated with the 69th anniversary of Hai Phong’s Liberation Day and receiving the Heritage title. World nature of Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba archipelago of the World Heritage Committee (UNESCO).
In addition to Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, many leaders of the Central Government, Ministries, branches, localities, representatives of domestic and foreign agencies and units and tens of thousands of people attended, creating an unexpected success. for event.
This is the first time Hai Phong City has organized this program at the Political – Administrative Center square in the North of Cam River to affirm its vision and determination in expanding urban space and new development space. , turning Hai Phong into a developed urban area, a leader in the cause of industrialization and modernization, and a driving force for the development of the Northern region and the whole country.
With a spacious, modern new space, convenient transportation, and a professionally organized, majestic and solemn program, the 2024 Red Poinciana Festival stage with a capacity of 18,000 people was filled to the brim. .
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang and leaders of ministries, central branches and localities attended the opening program of the festival. Photo: Dinh Muoi.
In his speech, Mr. Nguyen Van Tung – Chairman of Hai Phong City People’s Committee said that the 2024 Red Phoenix Flower Festival has a special mark, because Hai Phong and Quang Ninh together received the UNESCO Decision to recognize The world natural heritage of Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba archipelago is the first inter-provincial heritage of Vietnam.
Since 1992, Quang Ninh province has compiled a dossier and in 1994 Ha Long Bay was recognized by UNESCO as a world natural heritage, then in 2000 it was registered for the second time.
Taking advantage of this advantage, with beautiful nature and unique culture, Quang Ninh province has focused on tourism development and achieved many spectacular achievements with 9 consecutive years of GRDP reaching over 10%/year. .
To enhance the value of Ha Long Bay, since 2011 Quang Ninh and Hai Phong have agreed and parallelly prepared a dossier to submit to UNESCO so that Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba archipelago will be recognized as a World Natural Heritage on September 16. September 2023. Mr. Nguyen Van Tung affirmed that Hai Phong and Quang Ninh will develop an action program to preserve and maximize the value of the heritage of Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba archipelago.
Mr. Cao Tuong Huy – Chairman of the People’s Committee of Quang Ninh province (second from left) and Mr. Nguyen Van Tung – Chairman of the People’s Committee of Hai Phong city received UNESCO’s decision to recognize Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba archipelago as a Heritage World nature. Photo: Dinh Muoi.
“In the cause of building and developing the city, Hai Phong attaches great importance to the cultural values and spiritual life of the people, seeing this as the driving force and source of development. With the historical – cultural – people traditions of Hai Phong, along with the honored cultural heritages, it will be a premise and an important driving force for the city to strive to develop and lead the country in the industrial cause. modernize and truly become the driving force for development of the whole country”, Mr. Nguyen Van Tung affirmed.
Congratulations to Hai Phong City and Quang Ninh province, Mr. Jonathan Baker – UNESCO Chief Representative in Vietnam said that the registration of the Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba archipelago World Heritage complex is the result of extraordinary efforts. of localities, people and those who have worked very hard to preserve and protect this precious and unique natural asset, placing this heritage at the highest level of protection.
The long-term vision of Hai Phong and Quang Ninh with common development through such combination is very respectable, UNESCO highly appreciates this close association.
Over the past years, UNESCO has accompanied Vietnam in preserving and protecting the amazing natural landscape and special geological values of the Cat Ba archipelago in the context of the rapid economic development of the Northeast region. .
Mr. Jonathan Baker – UNESCO Chief Representative in Vietnam congratulated Hai Phong city and Quang Ninh province. Photo: Dinh Muoi.
Cat Ba was registered as a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2004 and relevant agencies in the region have worked together to promote sustainable development activities as well as preserve natural heritage. This is great.
Being listed on the World Heritage list, Cat Ba has received the highest recognition from UNESCO, becoming a heritage site of outstanding global value for humanity. The World Heritage title will help enhance its position as well as bring many great opportunities for Hai Phong because of the special attention of the public, partners, and investors.
Mr. Jonathan Baker noted that after being registered, Hai Phong City and Quang Ninh province will have much work to do ahead to achieve the long-term goal of sustainable development, including actions that need to be taken immediately to ensure the preservation of this World Heritage complex in accordance with the requirements of the World Heritage Convention.
The implementation of those commitments is especially important when Vietnam begins its term as one of 21 member countries of UNESCO from 2024.
Tens of thousands of people covered the stage where the event was held. Photo: Dinh Muoi.
In addition, development orientations such as tourism growth go hand in hand with strict management plans, enhanced enforcement of regulations, and better coordination between agencies to ensure adequate resource allocation. and increased research will contribute to ensuring a balance between conservation and development of heritage sites.
“I request that Hai Phong City, relevant central and local agencies of Vietnam continue to commit to implementing the 5 recommendations of the World Heritage Committee in the Decision to register World Heritage sites expanding from the bay. Ha Long to Cat Ba archipelago. The UNESCO representative office in Vietnam and I personally will be ready to accompany the locality and relevant partners on this journey,” Mr. Jonathan Baker suggested.
The Red Poinciana Festival is a political – cultural, social, and pride event of Hai Phong people that takes place annually in May, associated with the anniversary of Hai Phong Liberation Day (May 13, 1955). The festival contributes to promoting and introducing historical traditions, culture, and the city’s image; Building a brand, enhancing the position and reputation of Hai Phong with domestic people and international friends…
Compared to past years, the 2024 Red Poinciana Festival program possesses many new features related to the venue, modern technology, and creative art staging methods with the participation of nearly 1,000 artists, performer.
The total cost for the series of events of the Red Poinciana Festival is estimated at 45-50 billion VND from the budget and socialization. In particular, the total budget for the art program “Hai Phong – Brightening up the heritage region” is about 25 billion VND.
