The Mekong-Japan Culture and Tourism festival was officially opened last night, December 2 in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho.

The charity walk to raise fund for poor pupils in Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam.

The opening ceremony was in two parts, with the first telling stories about the rivers and their important role in people’s daily lives and the second featuring traditional art by Vietnamese and foreign artists.

On the same day, a charity walk named “The Mekong Dream” took place in the morning, attracting more than 5,000 people, including government officials, representatives from Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Japan and local people.

After the walk, the organizing board presented donations worth US$10,000 each to representatives of Mekong Delta countries, namely Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, to support poor pupils achieving good academic results.

The Mekong-Japan Tourism Trade Fair opened the same day to showcase tourism products and services with over 55 stands for businesses in the Mekong Delta provinces, Hanoi, HCM City, Da Nang, as well as those from Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Japan.

Another international fair, named Vietnam International Agriculture Trade Fair, also opened in Can Tho city, with nearly 300 local and foreign businesses in attendance. The fair, will include seminars, exhibitions and contests, focusing on agricultural cultivation and rural labor.

PV