Some of the country's diverse ethnic cultures will be on show at a festival held on April 18-19 in suburban Hanoi .

The Vietnam Ethnic Groups Cultural Festival features the participation of 13 ethnic groups from eight cities and provinces. Taking place at the Vietnamese Ethnic Groups Culture and Tourism Village in Dong Mo tourist area, 40km from the city centre, the festival's highlights include a gala night with the theme of "Opportunities in the Year of the Dragon", featuring art performances by more than 300 artists.

The artistic director of the show, Nguyen Khac Phuc, said the performance will spotlight the cultural quintessence of ethnic groups throughout the country.

"The stage will be arranged with symbols representing the diversified culture and solidarity of 54 groups in Vietnam ," he said.

The gala night will be broadcast live by Radio the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) and Vietnam Television (VTV) on April 19.

A preliminary conference to review the three years of implementing the Prime Minister's Decision on "Vietnam Ethnic Group Cultural Day" (April 19) will be held during the festival along with a conference on promoting tourism, a market fair with produce from mountainous regions, traditional craft village exhibition and traditional games, sports and entertainment.

The festival aims to help preserve ethnic culture and popularise products and services to tourists, honour the cultures of Vietnamese ethnic groups and boost cultural exchanges and national unity among ethnic minorities in Vietnam.-VNA