HCM CITY – Outdoor opera "The Story of a River Season 2 - The Legendary Voyage" performed at the opening of the 2024 HCM City River Festival on Friday attracted nearly 10,000 locals and international tourists.

It combined elements of cinema, music and dance to recreate the sweeping and glorious history of the Sài Gòn River and the country through stories of its legendary voyages.

It featured over 1,000 performers including amateur actors, and combined modern performance and interactive technologies such as 3D Mapping projection technology, water screens and floating stages.

The event at the Nhà Rồng Wharf - Khánh Hội area in HCM City’s District 4 also saw drone performances, boat parades and fireworks displays.

Phan Văn Mãi, chairman of the city People's Committee, said following the success of the first festival in 2023, the second is being organised to honour the beauty and value of the heritage rivers, spreading pride and love for the city through a diverse and unique series of activities, harmoniously combining tradition and modernity.

The aim is to build the festival into a major and permanent annual event celebrating the distinctiveness of HCM City, he said.

The festival, which will go on until June 9, will include a series of cultural, culinary, sporting, and entertainment activities.

Its goal is to help develop tourism, culture and education and the HCM City brand.

Manu businesses are offering promotions for shopping, dining, sightseeing, and travel during the event. – VNS