The northern port city of Hai Phong is preparing for a busy May aftermaking plans to host both a major flower festival and a ceremonyrecognising its Cat Ba archipelago as a special national relic site.

Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s CommitteeLe Khac Nam released the information at a press conference on April 22,adding that activities to mark the 59 th anniversary of the Hai PhongLiberation Day (May 13) will also be held during this time.

The Flame-red Flower Festival will celebrate Royal Poinciana , thecity’s most distinctive and popular flower. It will be held from May9-11 and include a wide range of activities, such as art performances, atrade, tourism and cuisine fair and a boat race.

These activities will allow the port city to promote its image and boost tourism.

Meanwhile, photos highlighting the beauty of Cat Ba will be displayedat the event to celebrate the archipelago’s certification as anationally important area.

Hai Phong will alsointroduce the bio-diversity potential and advantages of Cat Baarchipelago in the run-up to canvassing for the United NationsEducational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to officiallyrecognise Cat Ba as a World Natural Heritage Site in 2014.

Located some 45 kilometres east of Hai Phong and 150 kilometressoutheast of Hanoi, Cat Ba covers more than 17,000 hectares of land and9,200 hectares of sea. It is already recognised by UNESCO as a WorldBiosphere Reserve, as it boasts tropical rain forests on limestoneislands, mangrove forests, coral reefs, beaches and cave networks. It ishome to some 2,320 types of fauna and flora.

The Royal Poinciana has been voted among the five most beautifulflowering trees in the world. It is also known by the names Gulmohar,Peacock Flower and Flame of the Forest.-VNA