The International Tourism and Trade Expo opened in the central province of Ninh Thuan on July 14 with 400 booths featuring grapes and grape products, including raisins, jelly and wine.

Other industrial and agricultural products are also on display at the expo, which precedes the International Grape and Wine Festival to be held from July 17-19.

Exhibitors at the trade expo include businesses from Vietnam, France, Chile, Argentina, Australia, Hungary, the US, South Africa, Romania and Germany.

The six-day trade expo, organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ninh Thuan's People's Committee, aims to promote exchange and investment opportunities between grape farmers and businesses.

The International Grape and Wine Festival, which will take place in Phan Rang – Thap Cham city in the province, will demonstrate the value that vines bring for the province, create trade opportunities for farmers, sellers and wine producers, and promote tourism.

A range of activities will be held during the festival, including opening and closing ceremonies with music performances and fireworks. The opening ceremony will feature a flower-car parade.

Other activities include bartender performances and culinary contests, a beautiful sheep contest, kite-flying contest, and coracle racing.

A photo contest themed "Ninh Thuan – The Charming Land" will also be held.

In addition, a seminar on sustainable development will instruct farmers on how to grow grapes using methods that give the highest benefits. Demonstrations on vine planting and grape harvesting will also be held.

For this period, tourists can book discounted package tours to visit the province and its grape-growing areas.

Ninh Thuan has the largest vineyards in Vietnam, with 2,500 hectares mainly distributed in Ninh Phuoc and Ninh Hai districts and Phan Rang – Thap Cham city.

Grapes are the specialty of the province, with a yearly output of between 60,000 and 65,000 tonnes.

Located on the southern end of the central region, Ninh Thuan is famous for its scenic hills and mountains, and seascapes.

The province has 105 kilometres of coastline with many pristine and serene beaches, including Binh Tien, Ninh Chu and Ca Na.

Its Vinh Hy Bay is one of the most beautiful bays in the country, and the Nui Chua National Park, located in the province, is home to 1,500 plant species, 160 bird species and 60 species of mammals.

The province, the driest and hottest region in the country, is well known for its white sandy beaches and vast gardens of grapes, onions and hot peppers.

Several Cham ethnic groups reside in the area, along with the Raglai and Hoa ethnic minorities.-VNA