Hanoi (VNA) – Significant sites in major cities of Vietnam will be lit upsimultaneously on the night of August 8 to mark the 50th anniversary of theAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The cities areHanoi, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Can Tho and Ho Chi Minh City.  

The activities arepart of the ASEAN Landmark Lighting event, an initiative of the Philippines -ASEAN Chair 2017 - aiming to help raise public awareness of ASEAN.

Member countrieswill have major sites lit up red, blue and yellow or with the icon of the bloc.

In Hanoi, thelighting decorations will be in front of the Cach Mang Thang Tam (AugustRevolution) Square in front of the Opera House.  

The northern cityof Hai Phong will install 13 ASEAN logos with lights around the flag pole at theOpera House.

Meanwhile, in DaNang city, the Bach Dang-Nguyen Van Linh intersection next to Rong Bridge andPham Van Dong-Vo Nguyen Giap roads along My Khe beach will be lit up. Shortfilms and documentaries about ASEAN will be played on LED screens at the gateof the Asia Park in the city.

The landmarks tobe lit in HCM City include the Thong Nhat Hall, the Opera House, the HCMMuseum, the post office and the headquarters of the municipal People's Committee.

In Can Tho, NinhKieu pedestrian bridge and Hai Ba Trung street in Tan An ward, Ninh Kieudistrict will be decorated on the night.

Founded in 1967,the 10-member ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia,Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.-VNA