Quan Lan Communal House Festival is the village-wide celebration for the inhabitants of the island community of Quan Lan in the central area of the ancient Van Don commercial port in northern Quang Ninh province.

The festivities are organized yearly on the 18th day of the sixth lunar month, but the celebration lasts from the 10th to the 20th day of month, which fall from July 5-15 this year.

The 10th day of the sixth lunar month features the ritual of "closing the village": the inhabitants cannot leave, but those who have moved away and other guests from any corner of the country are welcome.

Among the highlights of the festival is a boat race with the participation of local villagers.

The participants, divided into two groups, establish their particular training grounds on the 13th day of the month in order to prepare themselves.

The boats used for the competition are ordinary 5 to 6-ton fishing boats, with lowered sails and dragon - heads carved on the fronts.

The 16th day is reserved for receiving the genies. There is a procession for the funeral tablets of Tran Khanh Du from the temple to the village's communal house.

On the 18th day at about 3pm (every year at this time the tide reaches the temple's wharf), the boats start.

The "soldiers" on one side wear a white jacket and blue pants, while the other group wears gray or black clothing.

When the opposing generals meet each other at the communal house, the "soldiers" and spectators shout resoundingly; the noise echoes throughout the region.

The two generals make sword - tracings in the air, and the two troops meet each other three times: symbolizing the three victories during the Tran Dynasty. Following the third meeting, they assemble before the shrine and the rowing contest begins.

Quan Lan Communal House Festival bears characteristics of traditional village festivals, but is particularly grandiose, expressing the military spirit of the Vietnamese in the struggle against foreign invaders.

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The Saigon Tourist Corporation (Saigontourist) on November 4 received more than 500 foreign travellers to the Ha Long Bay in northern Quang Ninh province on board an Italian cruise ship.

The tourists on the Costa Allegra are mainly coming from China, Italy, Japan and the Republic of Korea.

This is the first time the cruise ship of the Costa Crociere S.p.A to dock at the Ha Long Bay and the fourth to Vietnam.

The ship will then arrive in the central city of Da Nang on November 5, taking the visitors to many destinations, including the ancient town of Hoi An and the former imperial city of Hue.

The Costa Allegra plans to make regular visits from Hong Kong to Ha Long Bay every five days.

Previously, the vessel brought some 3,650 international holidaymakers to Ho Chi Minh City in May and June. (VNA)

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“Loi Krathong” is traditionally performed on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, which usually falls on some day in November.

HighLight

Bangkok 
Loi Krathong Festival
Date:  2-5 November 2006
Place:  Banks of the Chao Phraya River (Taksin Bridge – Krungthon Bridge), Bangkok
Activitie:  Electric decoration of  ship procession to celebrate his majesty the king’s 60th year accession on the throne, Loi Krathong activities at several temples and other official departments, electric decoration along the building and ancient remains along both sides of Chaophraya River.
 
Remark:  Enjoy Light Up and nightlife tour throughout the month.   
   
Sukhothai  
Loi Krathong and Candle Festival
Date:  1-5 November 2006
Place:  Sukhothai Historical Park, Tambon Mueang Kao, Mueang District, Sukhothai
Activitie:  Exciting with the great Krathong procession of 17 northern provinces and from other government departments.  Feast of Lanterns, ancient firework shows, such as, rocket, circular wing rocket, sparking firework, turbine firework, floating lantern, etc.,  Miss Noppamat Contest, “The Dawn of Happiness” Light & Sound show, Sukhothai traditional and cultural shows, Kra Tong Contest and enjoy Loi Krathong in the full-moon night at the old city of Sukhothai. 
 
Chiang Mai 
Yi Peng Festival
Date:  4-6 November 2006
Place:  Tha Phae Gate, banks of the Ping River, Chiang Mai Municipal Office, Chiang Mai
 
Activitie:  A dazzling procession of hanging lanterns, Krathongs, Phi Yi Peng, as well as light and sound presentation in the Ping River, activities of Loi Krathong in the past, Lanna Thai lifestyle, Lanna cultural performances, and sales of Lanna handicrafts.

Tak  
Loi Krathong Sai Festival
Date:  3-8 November 2006
Place: The Sompot Krung Rattanakosin 200 Years Bridge, Tak
 
Activitie:  Enjoy cheering in Krathong Procession (Kra Thong Sai) Contest for king’s cup,  lanterns procession of the royal families, royal Kratong and lanterns procession, electric decoration, light & sound show, rocket, firework and  “the Legend of Kra Thong Sai” water-screen show. The longest Krathong procession, native cultural show, native foods and OTOP fairs.
 
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya  
Loi Krathong Tam Prathip
Date:  3-5 November 2006
Place:  Bangsai Royal Folks Arts and Crafts Centre, Bangsai District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
 
Activitie:  Enjoy lantern Krathong of Sri Ayutthaya style, Kra Thong and hanging lanterns contest, Miss Noppamat Contest, light & sound  and multimedia shows, native cultural show, products fairs and entertainments.

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