A wide range of activities will be held across Da Nang from late this year until early next year to mark 20 years since the city’s recognition as a centrally-governed city on 1 January 1997.  These activities will be jointly organised by the 25 local government departments and agencies.

A corner of Da Nang

Specifically mentioned is a grand meeting at the Tien Son Sports Arena and a workshop entitled ‘Da Nang: 20 Years of Construction, Development and Future Orientations’, both to be held on 31 December.

In addition, between 24 and 31 December, there will be an exhibition at the Hoang Sa Exhibition House featuring photos and documents relating to Viet Nam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago.  Also, a photo exhibition themed ‘Da Nang - The Age of 20’ will be held from 24 December 2016 to 2 January 2017 at the western end of the Rong (Dragon) Bridge, opposite the Museum of Cham Sculpture.

Cultural and sporting events will be included in the opening ceremony of the Da Nang Book Street on 24 December, a motorcycle and sports bicycle parade will take place along major streets on 30 December, street parades of flower-decorated vehicles on the evenings of 31 December 2016 and 1 January 2017, the Da Nang Cultural and Cuisine Festival between 1 and 7 January 2017 at the Da Nang Port, and an awards ceremony on 15 January for a video clip-making contest entitled ‘Da Nang - Impressive Moments’.

At midnight on 31 December 2016, a spectacular fireworks display will be set off on the beach near the East Sea Park. 

Vice Chairman Dung (second right) speaking to representatives from the city’s authorities on the sidelines of the meeting

Two special musical performances to welcome in New Year 2017 and to celebrate the 20th anniversary will be broadcast live on both the DRT and VTV8 channels at 7.30pm on 29 December.  The New Year Countdown Party 2017 will be held from 7.30pm on 31 December at the 29 March Square on 2 September Street.

In addition, there will be various events for local young people and children.  Included will be the ‘Da Nang in My Heart’ drawing competition for children, and the ‘Da Nang’s Youth Aspiration’ singing contest and a contest entitled ‘Da Nang-People-Time’ for senior high school pupils to learn about the glorious history of the city.

Also to mark the anniversary, 20 local citizens will be honoured in recognition of their remarkable achievements towards the city’s progress.

Most notably, the DA NANG Newspaper is running a city-level reportage-writing contest entitled ‘Da Nang - 20 Years of Innovation’ which is open to all amateur and professional reporters from across the country.  Each entry must be printed journalistic reportage, with a total word count of between 1,500 and 2,500.  At least 3 high-quality photos must be attached to each entry.  Entries are required to be sent to the Da Nang Newspaper offices at 42 Tran Phu or via the newspaper’s email address at http://tsbaodanang@gmail.com before 31 December.  The awards ceremony will be held in January 2017.  A ‘Da Nang: 20 Years of Construction and Development’ book is also expected to be released by the newspaper in January 2017.

At a meeting on Thursday, the municipal People’s Committee Vice Chairman cum Head of the city’s Steering Board for the anniversary, Mr Dang Viet Dung, stressed the need to conduct the activities practically, solemnly and economically, and to guarantee local social and political security during the celebrations. 

Special attention should be paid to continuing to widely publicise the city’s remarkable achievements over the past 2 decades, as well as the activities to mark the anniversary, in the mass media and through visual advertising.

Local relevant agencies will make a list of the local development projects which are expected to be completed to mark the anniversary.  Also, meaningful activities will be promoted to express gratitude to those who gave great service in the national revolution.