Vietnamese seas, islands featured in block calendar

Pham Minh Tuan, Director and Editor-in-Chief of the Su That (Truth) National Political Publishing House, speaks at the event (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Hanoi (VNA) – The image of Vietnamese seas and islands as well as the culture, traditional practices and festivals of coastal residents have been featured on a new block calendar for 2023 launched by the Su That (Truth) National Political Publishing House.

The calendar, themed "Country viewed from the sea," includes 365 full-colour, easy-to-tear pages that introduce and popularise the images of and information about the national islands and seas. 

This is the second among three unique block calendars launched by the house for 2023. 

Addressing the launching ceremony, Pham Minh Tuan, Director and Editor-in-Chief of the Su That (Truth) National Political Publishing House, said that the calendar is expected to provide useful information about sea and island resources.

"We will be happy if the calendar, through images and information, helps young people to know more about the national islands and seas and inspire their patriotism."

According to Tuan, the calendar, designed with a blue colour to symbolise the sea and peace, also introduces and popularises sea economy achievements Vietnam has gained in recent years. 

Vietnam lies on the eastern part of the Indochinese peninsula in a strip of land shaped like the letter "S", with a long coastline of 3,260km along 28 provinces, from Mong Cai in the northern province of Quang Ninh to Ha Tien in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang.

Along the coastline, Vietnam has many beautiful beaches, more than 4,000 islands and islets, including about 3000 islands in the northeast region and 40 islands in the north-central region, alongside Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa (Paracels).

Tourist spots of the coastal provinces featured in the calendar will be a rich source for people who want to discover beautiful beaches.  

Award-winning photos at the national photo contests were selected to be printed in the calendar, including snaps of traditional festivals such as Nghinh Ong (whale worshipping) and Cau Ngu (fish worshipping) and cultural characteristics of the coastal provinces. 

The calendar is meaningful because it raises awareness of the nation's islands and seas, said Nguyen Trung Khanh, director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, at the calendar's launch. 

He said it is important to inspire people to travel and contribute to advertising tourism potential to attract domestic and foreign tourists.

Around 1,500 calendar pieces will be presented to delegates at the 12th National Congress of the HCM Communist Youth Union in December.

The house plans to launch an English version to popularise Vietnamese islands and seas abroad.

In addition to significant potential in seafood, seaweed, minerals, and oil, Vietnam also boasts spectacular bays, caves, islands, and beaches that are favourable for developing island and sea tourism.

It was ranked 27th out of 156 countries and territories around the world with sea borders in terms of coastal length and had the longest coastal area in Southeast Asia.

The country is also one of 12 bays considered among the most beautiful in the world - Ha Long Bay and Nha Trang Bay.

Islands and seas provide life resources and are home to cultural heritages such as folk festivals, beliefs and customs, cuisine, and folklore. All create an abundant source of products for the sustainable development of the island and sea tourism.

Seizing these strengths, Vietnam has invested substantial sums in improving many popular destinations. Water sports and entertainment services have been introduced to increase the attractiveness and competitiveness of sea tourism, including sailing, boat racing, windsurfing, beach football, beach volleyball, gliding and hot-air ballooning, and plane and helicopter trips.

Island and sea tourism accounts for 70% of all tourism activities in Vietnam and has become a driving force for Vietnam's tourism development, contributing significantly to making tourism a spearhead economic sector./.