Vietnam has wrapped up a boat festival that, for the first time, included lighted watercraft to promote tourism in Ho Chi Minh City, with many people attending the one-day fest, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism said Wednesday on its website.

“Le hoi thuyen dang lan thu 1” (The First Lighted Boat Parade Festival), which took place at the Saigon Port in District 4 on September 9, drew a huge crowd of locals and foreigners who excitedly admired the beauty of dozens of the showcased boats floating on the Saigon River.

The event was organized by the municipal Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, and featured 22 yachts decorated with colorful LED lights.

Aimed at promoting the tourism services of Ho Chi Minh City, the fest also introduced well-known tourist destinations such as the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, Municipal Theater, Reunification Palace, and Ben Thanh Market, as well as dishes that represent special cultural characteristics of the southern region.

La Quoc Khanh, deputy director of the culture department, said at the event that municipal authorities are currently focusing on developing river tourism by increasing the number of boats and improving the standard of the services.

“Le hoi thuyen dang lan thu 1” is part of a series of events to mark the tenth anniversary of the International Travel Expo – Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC), which runs until September 13 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center in District 7.

ITE HCMC received 18,438 visits over three days last year, a 13 percent increase compared to the previous edition, according to the organizer.