Two record-sized balloons to feature in Vietnam festival
15:52 04/03/2009

      Two record-sized balloons will float over Danang city in central Vietnam to mark the Quan The Am (Goddess of Mercy) festival Wednesday, one of them covered in calligraphy and the other resembling a golden pig.

Fourteen popular Vietnamese calligraphers will write on the 36m high and 1.8m wide balloon while people can write their wishes on paper and stick it on the 30m tall golden pig.

The organizers plan to enter the two balloons in the Vietbooks (the Vietnamese record book) as a plug for the festival as well as to promote Quang Nam province tourism.

The Goddess of Mercy festival, also featuring typical Buddhist rituals, will welcome a 550-strong delegation led by France-based Zen Monk Thich Nhat Hanh who is visiting Vietnam.

The festival, recognized as one of the country’s 15 largest festivals, is held annually at the Ngu Hanh Son tourist site with a plethora of religious and cultural activities.

Held since 1960 to mark the inauguration of the Goddess of Mercy statue, it draws over 5,000 visitors annually.

This year the festival, slated for April 4-6, is expected to attract some 15,000 visitors.

Reported by Dieu Hien – Compiled by Luu Thi Hong

Source : thanhniennews.com