An exhibition of sand sculptures opened on June 12 on Nha Trang citybeach, in the coastal province of Khanh Hoa, as part of celebrations tomark Sea Festival 2011.

On display are 15 sculptures created by more than 40 artists designed to promote environmental awareness.

"Wehope the exhibition will make people think about protecting theenvironment, as well as give tourists something interesting to look at,"said Ho Hoang Oanh, director of GTO Media Corporation, which organisedthe event.

"The sculptures are incredible. I hope they inspire people to join hands to protect our environment," she said.

Adjacentto the sand sculptures is a display of installation art, also on thetheme of environmental awareness, using materials such as straw, seashells and nylon.

Artist Tran Thi Thu's work is far fromgrandiose and are small enough to make great souvenirs. She isdisplaying about 300 paintings at Thap Ba (Ponagar Tower), which is alsotaking part in the sea festival.

"This is the second time I haveparticipated in the sea festival," Thu said. "I have in the pastdisplayed paintings of President Ho Chi Minh and scenic landmarks in NhaTrang city at Ponagar Tower, in Nha Trang Bay and on Co Tien (Fairy)Mountain."

She has worked with sand for about 10 years.

"Manytourists, especially foreigners, have visited my exhibition andexpressed their fascination with using sand to make art," she said."They particularly like to have a memento of Nha Trang made from localsand."

There are also exhibitions on Tran Phu and Pham Van Dongstreets, including calligraphy by 16 artists and an artistic photoexhibition named The Beauty of Sandalwood Land./.