National Tourism Year - Quang Nam 2006 will close in flamboyant style with a range of cultural activities culminating in a spectacular New Year's party in the ancient town of Hoi An.

"Summing up the tourism year with an artistic programme is difficult," says Vo Phung, who is in charge of the closing ceremony. "it will present the typical culture of Quang Nam, particularly the province's folklore,"

Among the events will be a number of art exhibitions, such as Hoi An Trong Mat Toi (Hoi An in My Eyes), Thang Canh Quang Nam (Landscapes of Quang Nam). For the first time, the event will also celebrate the art of graffiti. Six professional artists from Ha Noi, HCM City and Hoi An - together with artists from abroad - will have two hours to paint a 200m mural alongside the Hoai River under the theme: Say What You Want.

During the festivities, organisers also plan to acknowledge the important contribution journalism has made to promoting Quang Nam's culture around the world. There will also be a discussion about the effectiveness of the rent APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Ha Noi, and of the likely impact on the business community of Viet Nam's entry into the World Trade Organisation. The provincial People's Committee will also present awards to tourism companies and hotels that have done the most to boost tourism in the province.

To round off National Tourism Year there will be a grand New Year's party starting around 9.30pm on the Dec. 31 night. During the festivities there will be songs and dances celebrating Quang Nam's culture, with such titles as My Son Huyen Thoai (Legendary My Son), Hoi Lang (Village Festival), Huong Rung Dat Quang (Quang Nam's Forest Fragrance) that will be performed on a stunning stage featuring, among other things, a traditional wooden barge from the province.

There will also be a number of fashion shows with titles such as Hoi An Ky Uc Thoi Gian (Hoi An -Time Memories) displaying traditional costumes worn by various ethnic groups in Quang Nam.

A formal ceremony to mark the transfer of National Tourism Year from Quang Nam to Thai Nguyen province will also be held during the count down to the new year which will be broadcast live on VTV1.

(Source: VNA)