The Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Festival 2010 opened on April 8, featuring more than 150 pavilions from travel companies, hotels and airlines both in and outside the city.

The festival is the first in a series of planned cultural and tourism activities to celebrate 35 years of the South’s liberation and the national reunification (April 30) and the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi.

It is designed to promote tourism development by introducing visitors to a wide range of culinary specialities and attractive tourist destinations, as well as helping the participating businesses seek partners.

This year will mark the first time an art parade will be held within the framework of the festival, drawing the participation of 80 tourism units and over 1,000 amateur artists.

Visitors to the festival will have the opportunity to enjoy special dishes and performances from southern cities and provinces.

The annual festival is expected to attract 100,000 visitors./.