Ben Tre to hold the 4th Coconut Festival in 2015

In recent years, in efforts to put into use internal resources as well as to increase production efficiency in the coconut industry, and to promote and introduce coconut-based products, Ben Tre province previously held 2 successful coconut fairs.

In 2012, in particular, with approval from the Central Government and the support from central ministries and departments, the 3^rd time event was held, renamed as Coconut Festival, and enlarged its scale up to a national event.

Stage performance at the Opening Ceremony of the 3^rd Coconut Festival. (Photo by Thanh Tung)

Through such festival events, Ben Tre was greatly supported by direct guidance from central government ministries and departments, the participation of neighbouring provinces as well as businesses and people all over the country and foreign companies in the Asia Pacific Coconut Community (APCC).

On the basis of previous successful events, the 4^th festival is meant to confirm that Ben Tre’s coconut is should have a deserved position in the list of national industrial trees, and to establish the position of Ben Tre’s coconut industry and products in the world market.

The event is also meant to push forward the sustainable integration and development of the coconut industry as stated in the guideline of the province’s Party Committee.

A stand selling the famous  Banh trang My Long (My Long sticky rice cake) in the 3^rd Coconut Festival in 2012. (Photo by TH)

The 4^th Coconut Festival will be held in 2015 with the topic “Viet Nam Coconut in Integration and Development”.

The 4th Coconut Festival in 2015 is aimed to promote and introduce Ben Tre’s as well as Viet Nam’s coconut industry and products to domestic and international tourists; to provide a chance and a playground for coconut farmers, domestic and foreign traders to come together and exchange about coconut growing, processing and consuming.

Through its activities, Coconut Festival helps people better understand coconut culture and gets to know more about Ben Tre potentials and strengths. It also helps attract investors to come and carry out cooperative activities in production, processing and consuming coconut-based products. The Festival is also a chance to honour coconut tree and its products, as well as coconut producers in domestic and international markets.

Like previous occasions, the 4^th Coconut Festival is a national event, and is also planned to take place in Ben Tre City, in the duration of 7 days, from April 7 to April 13, 2015. The festival is co-chaired by Ben Tre People’s Committee and the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism. The organizers intend invite several member countries of the Asia-Pacific Coconut Community (APCC) to take part. Domestically, participants will include provinces that has large coconut areas, in-province coconut farmers and coconut-based manufacturers and processors.

The Con Duong Dua (the coconut path) that creat a green space in the 3^rd Cononut Festival. (Photo by TH)

Among activities planned to take place during the time of the festival, there are attractive items such as music concerts in opening and closing ceremonies; trade fair and Techmart 2015 Exhibition events; street demonstration of decorated cars and vans; scientific workshops on topics related to coconut and human health; the grand display of coconut trees and related activities called Con Duong Dua (the coconut path) that will stretch along the riverside park from the Ben Tre 1 to the Ben Tre 2 bridges (on the side of My Thanh An Commune, opposite to the Hung Vuong Street, Ward 3 side), and will kept throughout the time of the festival. Also, during the festival, there will be activities that are designed to honour coconut trees and products, and coconut manufacturers and processors.