Can Tho is not only a key artery junction and a socio-economic and cultural centre of the Mekong River Delta, is but also considered the capital city of the crisscrossed canals and rivers in the western region.

Playing host to the event themed Miet vuon song nuoc Cuu Long (the Mekong Waterways Gardens), the city encountered numerous difficulties in fulfilling the task. Most hotels and guesthouses as well as resorts did not meet international standards while the city lacked qualified tour guides. In addition, the collapse of Can Tho bridge spans affected the construction pace of major projects for the festival.

Can Tho hasmade all out efforts to overcome difficulties and fulfil major parts of the event, including the upgrade of existing tourist sites such as Bang Lang Stork Garden, My Khanh tourism village and work on new projects such as Con Khuong tourism resort, Con Khuong bridge and a tourism high school.

The city has 135 hotels and guesthouses, including 26 star-rated and 80 well-equipped ones capable of serving visitors.

Currently, the city is preparing for the opening ceremony to take place at the Hau River Park in Ninh Kieu district. According to the design, an islet-shaped stage, which can accommodate more than 6,000 people, will be erected in front of the Hau River. From the main stage, visitors can see big barges carrying passengers across the river on the left and engineers working on Can Tho bridge on the right.

More than 1,600 amateur and professional artists are training for a special art programme at the opening ceremony. Ngo Dang Cuong, chief choreographer of the performance, told VOVNews, “Artists have completed more than 80 percent of the workload, and are eagerly looking forward to the event in the coming days.”