Da Lat’s 125th anniversary of establishment celebrated

An exhibition displaying smart city products and solutions kicked off yesterday in the provincial administrative building of Da Lat, opening a series of activities celebrating the 125th anniversary of the establishment of the city in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong.

Bao Loc’s silk weaving business is key to the economy of Lam Dong Province. A fashion show featuring designs on Bao Loc silk and Lam Dong brocade will be held as part of the celebration of Da Lat’s 125 years. — Photo bizlive.vn

The exhibition provides an opportunity for organisations, enterprises and inpiduals to meet, exchange experiences, introduce new technological solutions and promote the development of technological and communication applications to meet the province’s socio-economic development demands.

There are 20 stands representing domestic and international enterprises, 10 of which exhibit IT products used to construct a smart city. The rest showcase advancements in high-tech agriculture and Da Lat’s representative food and agricultural products.

According to Nguyen Viet Van, director of the provincial Department of Information and Communication, the province will pilot a Tourism Information Port, City Planning Information Port, Smart Lighting System and Public Wifi System as part of its plan to construct a smart city.

The Tourism Information Port and smart tourism mobile application have been implemented in 100 per cent of tourism businesses within the province. The application will connect tourists, locals, businesses and administrative organisations. Tourists only need smartphones or internet-connected computers to conveniently search for information about tourism destinations, accommodations or recommended restaurants in Da Lat City.

The City Planning Information Port, launched by Viet Nam Posts and Telecommunications Group, provides public information about the city’s land use plans. The city has also completed the installation of a smart lighting system in Hoa Binh – Da Lat market and the area around Ông Đạo Bridge and Lam Vien Square. The lights are integrated with a free wifi system and security cameras.

Following the exhibition, the city administration will hold a ceremony announcing the project “Building Da Lat into a Smart City.”

The anniversary will also be celebrated with a fashion show tomorrow by the city’s Xuan Huong Lake, featuring designs made from traditional local materials including Bao Loc silk and Lam Dong brocade.

Ten silk workshops and 11 Vietnamese designers will participate in the show. The latest designs on Bao Loc silk and brocade by K’Ho and Chau Mạ people, two ethnic groups residing mainly in Lam Dong Province, will be presented by 50 models from Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City, along with local models and 40 students from Da Lat.

The designs are inspired by the main theme of the show – Da Lat flowers – as well as songs and poems about the "city of a thousand flowers."

The breeding and trade of silkworms and silk products is the key business of Bao Loc and other regions within the province, providing jobs for thousands of workers of 28 businesses and countless local households. Many enterprises such as Vietnam Silk House, Vietsilk and Hà Bảo Silk are creating high-quality products for export.

According to the Vice Chairman of the Bao Loc People’s Committee, Doan Kim Dinh, the local authority is concentrating on protecting areas that produce materials for local silk businesses. The province has around 10,000 hectares of land growing mulberries for silkworm raising, with the cocoon output ranging from 12,000 to 15,000 tonnes.

In 2018, the region produced more than 1,000 tonnes of silk yarn and 3.2 million metres of silk. The city’s silk products have been exported to many countries to weave kimonos, high-grade scarves and the interiors of luxurious cars. Many major groups in Viet Nam have also used Bao Loc silk for staff uniforms, he added.

Other highlighted activities include a ceremony honouring 125 inpiduals from the city, an exhibition showcasing Da Lat’s socio-economic achievements, photography and painting exhibitions, arts performances, film screenings, conferences and a champagne festival.

VNF/VNS