New Zealand billionaire kitemaker Peter Lynn will be one of the major attractions at the International Kite Festival in Ho Tram resort in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, on March 25-29.

The competition is expected to attract up to 300 kites from 15 countries and regions, including France, Germany, the US, Philippines, India, Taiwan, Canada and New Zealand, with Japan and South Korea yet to confirm.

Kitelying was a hobby to Lynn, who switched careers from engineer to kite maker in 1973, but it was also the chance to do business. He established a kite factory in Ashburton, in New Zealand and within a decade he was exporting kites around the world.

It also gave him the opportunity to research and develop kite traction for sand buggies, kite-sailing and kite-surfing equipment.

Lynn’s pioneering designs are now internationally known, making him one of the major attractions at the festival to be held in the coastal city.

Another of the major attractions will be kite flier and designer Lam Hoac, who has been making high performance kites since 1986, and competing since 1988.

He won the honour of Grand National Champion at the 2003 American Kitefliers Association Championships.

Hoac has travelled in Canada, throughout the US, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Guadeloupe, and Colombia for competitions and demonstrations since 1988.

Indian Ashgar Belim will also be prominent. The Sun City Kite Club was founded in 1875 by his great-great grandfather.

The flyers will be divided into two groups to fly about 300 kites to a maximum height of 200m in the 3km coastal area.

The Taiwanese will showcase their kites, which are 100-150m in length, while the Vietnamese kite makers will have the biggest kites carrying bamboo flutes.

Attention will also be on the French and the Filipino representatives who are known for fighting kites.

According to information from the organising committee, Indonesia is bringing the longest kite at 275m while the US will introduce largest ones.

Also, a kite show will take place in Vung Tau City on March 28 with performance of kites, light and sound.

"This is an effort from Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province to attract international visitors to Viet Nam." said Nguyen Van Son, vice director of the provincial Culture, Sports and Tourism Department. "We have registered the event with the Viet Nam’s Administration of Tourism as a national tourism programme."

The festival will be held in Vung Tau city and the Ho Tram Beach Resort&Spa in Xuyen Moc District.

"This is the first time we have ever organised an international kite festival. At the event, we have invited some of the world’s top kite artists, who will take part in a special indoor kite-flying competition, without wind," said Cao Lap, managing director of the Ho Tram Beach Resort&Spa, the main sponsor and organiser for the festival.

The event will be a chance for local people to watch extraordinary pieces of art made by international kite flyers.

The International Kite Festival expects to be held annually in Vung Tau City. It is considered by the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism to become the national tourism programme.

VNN