President Truong Tan Sang on December 27 attended the opening ceremony of the fifth Da Lat Culture and Tourism Week in the Central Highland province of Lam Dong, praising the city for its beauty and hospitality.

Sang stressed that Da Lat and Lam Dong province were part of the region's revolutionary tradition, and held potential for economic development and unique tangible and intangible heritages. Central Highland gong culture was recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2005.

He said that there was great potential to develop tourism in the Central Highlands, especially in Da Lat and Lam Dong.

The President asked local authorities and the people of the city, province and region to develop and contribute to the country's industrialisation, modernisation and international integration.

At the ceremony, Chairman of the Lam Dong People's Committee Nguyen Xuan Tien said the festival aimed to showcase tourism in Da Lat, and honour the city's flower growers.

He said the 120-year-old city had become an eco-tourism hub and a centre for education and training, focusing on green growth, sustainable development and traditional hospitality.-VNA