Addressing the opening ceremony, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan said the festival has evolved over two decades into a national cultural, economic and diplomatic event, helping promote Vietnam’s image and maritime heritage. She said:
She stressed; "We must lead the green transformation of the marine economy by balancing development with conservation, using marine resources sustainably, protecting the marine environment, and adapting to climate change. We should also make marine tourism a key economic sector by developing high-quality, distinctive products, strengthening regional links, expanding international cooperation, and promoting Vietnam as a leading global marine tourism destination."
Nguyen Viet Hung, Chairman of the Khanh Hoa provincial People’s Committee said: “The festival’s theme, "Ocean Colors – Reaching Global Heights," reflects Khanh Hoa’s commitment to preserving its identity while raising service quality to international standards. Global recognition is built on quality, trust and memorable experiences. Visitors come to Khanh Hoa for its natural beauty, but they return for its outstanding services and warm hospitality. Our ultimate measure of success is visitors’ satisfaction and their desire to come back.”
The 80-minute opening performance featured more than 600 artists from Vietnam, Laos and the Republic of Korea.
Running through Sunday, the festival includes 40 cultural, sporting and tourism events and is expected to attract 600,000-800,000 visitors.
