Lebreton Didier, a passenger on Vietnam Airlines’ flight VN18, became the first foreign visitor setting foot in Hanoi in 2018. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Lebreton Didier, a passenger on Vietnam Airlines’flight VN18 which landed at Noi Bai International Airport on the morning of January1, became the first foreign visitor setting foot in Hanoi in 2018.
Didier and his group of 13 other visitors from France were treated to flowersand gifts and a music performance.
The French said that this is the third time he came to Vietnam and he plans tospend almost a month to discover the country’s beauty with his wife, addingthat he was surprised by the warm welcome on the first day of the year.
Present at the greeting ceremony, Tran Duc Hai, Director of the municipalDepartment of Tourism noted that the event aims to promote Hanoi as a safe,friendly, quality and attractive destination for visitors.
Last year, some 5 million foreigners came to the thousand-year-old city ofHanoi.
The northern coastal province of Quang Ninh, home to the World Heritage site ofHa Long Bay, also held a ceremony to greet the year’s first internationaltourists at Tuan Chau International Port in Ha Long city on January 1.
In 2018, the locality expects to welcome 12 million visitors, including 5million foreigners. Last year, nearly 10 million holiday-makers, comprising 4.2million foreigners, chose Quang Ninh province to spend their holidays.
Meanwhile, the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai also enjoyed a good startfor 2018, with renowned Sa Pa town drawing 42,000 visitors during the three-dayNew Year holiday from December 30-January 1.
The crowds of visitors caused traffic jams and overloaded local hotels. Thetown’s nearly 500 accommodation facilities with more than 6,000 rooms werefully booked, but homestays are available at village or tourism site like CatCat and Ta Van.
A slew of cultural and sports activities are being organised in the town on NewYear occasion, including a photo exhibition, a street festival, and traditionalgames like tug of war and stick pushing.-VNA
VNA
