Ms. Mai Thi Kim Chung - General Director of Loma: The International Sea Port Festival To Be Hold with Success

The 1st International Sea Port Festival in Vung Tau, Vietnam was an idea from LOMA. Can you tell more about it?

With potential of Viet nam sea port, logistics sector must be developed strongly to ensure the development of the sea port. With the role of the organizer of the Festival, the biggest success of it will be a good preparation for for the post-era of the Festival. Sea ports in BR-VT in particular and in Vietnam in general is in the period of integration and development. There have been a need in sharing experience with other countries in the world. We expect the Festival will bring a big opportunity to introduce our policies, to promote our sea port potential, to attract investments, to train human resources, to exchange management experience in the sectors of maritime, logistics and sea port.

Can you tell us about determination from BR-VT provincial leaders to the Festival?

They have high determination: detailed plans for the Festival have been approved, meetings with departments have been hold regularly to ensure everything is on schedule as approved.

And how about the process of the preparation work so far?

So far, the content of the Festival has been completed and so have the detailed plans of the activities: the Opening Ceremomy, the Carnaval, Gala Dinner, Exhibition – Fair. And lecturers from abroad and in Vietnam for the Forum and the conference have been invited. The number of guests has been confirmed and we are doing legal procedures for guests from abroad.

What difficulties and advantages have we experienced?

We are on the way to overcome the economy reccession. However, for various reasons, many businesses in Vietnam have been facing with difficulties. And thus, we have some troubles in asking for sponsorship. But thanks to the support and on-time instruction from the Government, the Ministries, and from BR-VT provincial leaders,we are full of determination that the 1st International Sea Port Festival will be held with success.

The Festival has been moved back to a month later and is going to take place on December 12th-14th, 2012, can you tell us more about the change?

To ensure the success of the Festival, the Board of Organization have to consider many factors for a good preparation. According to the weather forecast, there will be many storms that may hit BR-VT in the time before December. Therefore, we decided to move back the event a month later for the safety of guests.

Besides, for the best result in preparation of other parts: location, decoration, organization work and security…, we do need more time. But, the most important thing is we do want to make the International Sea Port Festival to be hold in Vietnam for the first time impressive. Therefore, it should be held in a no less impressive day: December 12th, 2012.

What are your expectations for the Festival?

With definitive agreement and high determination from the Board of Organization, we hope the the Festival will be remarkably sucessful. And it will contribute to the development of the Vietnam sea ports and to the integration of them to the international ones.