The one-week festival coincides with a number of other significant events in the province, including the inauguration of the Rach Mieu Bridge on January 17 and the 49th anniversary of the Ben Tre uprising against American troops.

Other provinces in the Mekong Delta, and the central provinces of Binh Dinh and Phu Yen where coconut products are popular, will also participate in the event.

The festival will include conferences, contests, fairs and exhibitions with the participation of mangers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and some of the top local coconut growers.

About VND10 billion (US$602,000), sourced from the provincial budget and various enterprises, will be spent to hold the festival, according to organizers.

Ben Tre is home to 45,000 hectares of coconut plantations and has a well-developed industry for processing and exporting coconuts and related products.

Reported by Phuong Anh