The Southern Fruit Festival opened at Suoi Tien Park in HCM City’s District 9 on June 1. The annual event, held by the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development aims to introduce domestic and foreign visitors wide range of fruit from the South of the country.

The festival includes a wide range of activities, starting with a floating fruit market, selling more than 1,000 tonnes of famous fruits at prices which are 20-40 percent lower than in the market.

The highlight of the event is the “safe and delicious fruit” contest with the participation of nearly 600 artisans from 21 provinces and cities.

Another contest involves more than 100 artisans to make things from fruit.

The festival is expected to attract around 5 million visitors to see a record showcase of more than 300 strange fruit and an exhibition of stones which look like fruit.

La Quoc Khanh, Vice Director of the HCMC’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said the festival aims to promote the reputable trademarks of southern fruit.

(Source: VOV)