About 300-400 kites are expected to fly high in the sky at Vietnam’s Vung Tau Town Friday.

Several of the world’s leading kite builders are sailing their creations as the International Kite Festival opens on the beaches of Vung Tau Town Friday.

Three to four hundred kites and a record number of tourists are taking part in the festival, said the event’s organizing board.

The three-day event will fill the skies with kites shaped like people, animals, traditional symbols and deities.

The longest kite thus far is Indonesia’s 275-meter Kite Train.

Seventy Vietnamese artisans are representing the host country with several unique flute kites decorated with tuong (classical drama) masks.

Aside from the host representatives, many overseas Vietnamese are playing leading roles with foreign delegations.

Vietnamese Canadian artist Lam Hoac ranks among the world’s most renowned kite builders.

Hoac says he’ll fly a kite without wind at the event.

Hoac demonstrated his expertise at a pre-show performance during the Ho Tram Resort and Spa last night. Vietnamese traditional kites closed the show.

The event’s official opening ceremony takes place tomorrow at Ho Tram Beach.

Today, aside from watching the kite-flying performances, observers will have a chance to meet the artists during a convention and kite display at Bien Dong Ocean Park.

The last two days of the three-day event will be filled with kite performances day and night.

Cao Lap, director of Ho Tram Beach Resort and Spa, said the festival was not competitive in nature, though awards will be presented to the biggest, oldest, longest, most beautiful and most colorful kites.

“We hope the event will be a bridge of friendliness and conviviality between kite lovers.”

Reported by Kim