The second ceremony in the Official Inauguration of Halong Bay as one of the New7Wonders of Nature was accompanied by a spectacular fireworks display that lit up the night sky over Halong City, the capital of Quang Ninh province in Vietnam. The event marked the climax of the annual Halong Carnival and thousands of performers took part in the colourful three-hour event.
Speaking live on Vietnamese television during prime-time evening news, Bernard Weber, Founder-President of New7Wonders, spoke about the importance of the moment for the country and its people, and he emphasized the significance of the global campaign that saw Halong Bay being elected. “Halong Bay is now a Wonder of Nature thanks to people all over the world voting for it,” he said. “This shows the positive power of New7Wonders to bring people together and achieve results of lasting value that contribute to Global Memory.”
His sentiments were endorsed by Vu Thi Thuc Thuy, Vice-Chairwoman of the Quang Ninh Provincial Peoples’ Committee, who joined him during the interview against the backdrop of the specially-commissioned bronze plaque that commemorates the listing of Halong Bay as one of the New7Wonders of Nature.
In its report on the celebrations, Viet Nam News wrote: “The rich culture of ethnic communities in northern coastal Quang Ninh Province and northeastern regions was highlighted at the spectacular Carnival Ha Long 2012 held last night. An event to mark the province’s Ha Long Bay being listed as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, the carnival was the biggest ever since first held five years ago.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC_vyWvIY_Q
Thousands of people, including many foreign tourists, enjoyed special performances featuring the hospitality and beauty of Quang Ninh’s people and land. Several famous artists, including the People’s Artist Quang Tho as well as songstresses Ho Quynh Huong and Ngoc Anh, took part the event. In addition, performances by art troupes from South Korea, China, Laos and the Philippines created extra cultural diversity at the event.”
