Vanuatu: Country begins eight days of independence celebrations July 23

Event

Around 20,000 people gathered in Port Vila on Thursday, July 23, for a carnival marking the beginning of Vanuatu's fortieth-anniversary independence celebrations. The event began with a flag ceremony in the Tagabe area before proceeding to the city's Independence Park. Vanuatu's government has announced eight days of events and celebrations marking the country's independence, culminating in a full program of Independence Day events in Port Vila on Thursday, July 30. Although the main gatherings are scheduled to be held in Independence Park, celebrations are also expected to be held throughout the week in Saralana and Morobe areas of the capital.

Localized disruptions are likely around independence events throughout the week.  

Advice

Those in Vanuatu are advised to anticipate localized disruption during the independence celebrations and should be aware of the increased threat from petty criminal activity such as pickpocketing in large crowds.