The beautiful city of Ha Long in the northern province of Quang Ninh on May 1 revelled in a majestic carnival festival with a wide range of activities.

The festival opened with a special music performance with the participation of famous singers from both inside and outside the country.

In the spotlight was a public street party staged by nearly 3,000 professional and amateur performers at the Bai Chay tourist site.

Boats were also decorated splendidly as part of another, offshore performance.

The festival was highly attractive to the public, with a Samba dance staged by over 500 dancers and the festival closed with a sparkling fireworks display.

As part of Ha Long Tourism Week 2011, the carnival featured the legends as well as cultural traditions of Ha Long Bay, which was twice recognised by UNESCO for its landscape and geographical values./.