(VOVworld) - The 9^th Culture, Sports and Tourism Festival of ethnic groups in the north-eastern region, themed ‘Northeast – convergence, solidarity and development’, opened on Thursday in Bac Kan City. The festival features unique art performances of 10 provinces in the region. Do Thi Minh Hoa, deputy chairwoman of the Bac Kan provincial People’s Committee, said: "It’s a great honor for Bac Kan to organize this year’s festival. The event is expected to be a great venue for us to meet and exchange with friends from neighboring provinces in the region. We hope to further promote our unique culture and landscape to outsiders as part of the effort to boost local tourism and socioeconomic development."

A performance at the opening ceremony of the 2015 Culture, Sports and Tourism Festival of ethnic groups in the northeastern region (Credit: dantri.com.vn)

The annual festival aims to preserve and promote the cultural identities of north-eastern ethnic minority groups, enhance unity among people in the region, and contribute to the spiritual life of local residents. The event also offers an opportunity for the regional localities to introduce their potentials in culture, sports and tourism development, contributing to socioeconomic development in the region.