The beauty of Vietnam's natural heritage is the focus of activities at the Green Heritage Culture and Tourism Week, which opened in Hanoi on November 20.

The four-day event, themed "A Meeting Place of Humans and Nature", is expected to draw the participation of localities nationwide, aiming to promote and honour cultural and natural heritage sites, especially those recognised by UNESCO as world natural heritage sites. 

A cuisine space introducing special food from around the country will be part of the four-day event.

A highlight of the event is an exhibition entitled Impressions of Vietnam's Natural Heritage. It will feature heritage sites nationwide and explain the life of communities residing along river banks. The exhibition, which opens on November 21, celebrates people who promote their cultures and preserve nature at the same time.

It argues that the relationship between humans and nature is an intimate one. Through the photos, the exhibition sends the message that Vietnamese people respect nature and appreciate harmony in their relations with the natural world.

A range of artistic and cultural activities will be held during the week, including traditional ca tru (ceremonial singing), cheo (traditional operetta), đon ca tai tu (southern instrumental music and singing) and chau van (spiritual singing).

In addition, a cultural exchange programme for students and a painting festival for children will be also organised. Accordingly, members of fine arts clubs will paint on 1.6m by 2.5m canvases, creating images of some of the country’s important natural heritage sites. The paintings will be displayed at the venue of the Green Heritage Culture and Tourism Week.

According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, the event is a social activity. It creates a chance for Vietnamese people, especially the youth, to show their responsibility, patriotism and pride for natural heritage sites. It will raise public awareness of the need to preserve biodiversity and prevent the impacts of climate change. This is also a chance for the participating provinces and cities to introduce and promote their cultural, tourism and trade potential, with a focus on eco-tourism at the world’s natural heritage sites.

Artistic troupes and the departments of culture, sports and tourism from HCM City, Kien Giang, Bac Giang and Lai Chau have registered to attend the event, according to Duong Van Quynh, Director of the Vietnam Exhibition Centre for Culture and Arts and a member of the organising board. The Green Heritage Culture and Tourism Week, first launched in 2013, is one of the activities held to celebrate Vietnam's Culture Heritage Day on November 23.

The event will take place at the Vietnam Exhibition Centre for Culture and Arts, 2 Hoa Lu street, Hanoi.-VNA