The three-day festival, themed Vu Dieu Bien Dong (The East Sea Dance) attracted kite artisans and connoisseurs from 17 countries and territories, including Australia, the UK, US, Germany and Thailand.

The “largest kite” award went to New Zealand, while host Vietnam was awarded for most traditional kites and member enthusiasm.

The UK took the prize for the richest collection, while “longest kite” went to Indonesia

As many as 20,000 tourists at home and abroad attended the event.

According to the sponsor, the prestigious awards will honour businesses ranging from hotel and resort services to travel and transport services all over the country.

This year also see new awards, called Green Lotus, to be presented to businesses that have creative ideas and actions to protect the environment.

Six businesses will receive the Green Lotus awards this year, including the Topas Eco Lodge in Sapa, Mango Bay Resort in Phu Quoc Island, Evason Ana Mandara Villas & Six Senses Spa in Dalat, Evason Hideaway & Six Senses Spa in Nha Trang, Victoria Chau Doc Hotel in Chau Doc Town and XQ Vietnam

The presentation ceremony will be held in Dalat on July 12.

The event, including art performances in traditional dresses and traditional games, drew the participation of nearly 1,000 Vietnamese and foreign students. They enjoy Vietnamese food and souvenirs, including palm-leaf conical hats, parallel sentences and decorative lanterns.

The annual cultural event, jointly organized by the Vietnamese Consulate General in Sidney and the Association of Vietnamese Students in Australia, aims to promote unity and mutual assistance among students.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Tran Chien Thang made this announcement at a press briefing on November 17, 2008 explaining that the theme was chosen to highlight the former imperial city’s status as the recipient of double ‘World’ titles, as bestowed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

One of these titles relates to the ‘World Heritage Site’ status granted in recognition of the city’s remarkable architecture 15 years ago, and the other is a result of the classification of Hue court music as an “Oral and Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” five years ago.

The ‘Week of Hue Culture’ will feature images harking back to ancient Hue through the staging of exhibitions showcasing traditional crafts and cuisines, art performances, royal and traditional games, and poem recitals.

The event will also include an exhibition themed “Hue royal designs” with 100 images of Hue relics, architecture, decorations and hundreds of royal artifacts selected from individual collections and made from bronze, porcelain and textiles, giving visitors greater understanding of the daily lives of the royal family in ancient Hue.

As well as these cultural artifacts and celebrations, another festival entitled “Come back to the Origin” will take place on November 23, 2008 with the aim of promoting campaigns to vote for Ha Long Bay, Phong Nha-Ke Bang grotto and Phan Xi Pang mountain as the new natural wonders of the world.