Hanoi (VNA) – Localities across Vietnam on January 1 organised ceremonies to welcome visitors on the first day of the New Year 2025, pinning high hopes for a prosperous year.
In the central city of Da Nang, the municipal Department of Tourism welcomed nearly 3,000 first visitors this year. They included nearly 2,000 tourists from Europe and America on board the Noordam cruise ship.
Representatives from the city’s tourism department gave them flowers, souvenirs, and vouchers. The tourists were treated to traditional lion dance performances and had the opportunity to take memorable photos.
On the first day of the new year, the Da Nang International Airport received 125 flights, including 57 international ones. From December 28, 2024, to January 1, 2025, the airport hosted over 600 flights, marking a 15.6% increase year-on-year.
Deputy Director of the department Tan Van Vuong said that this year, the city expects to attract over 11.9 million visitors, up 10% from 2024, with international visitors estimated at over 4.8 million. Revenue from accommodation, dining, and travel services is projected to exceed 36 trillion VND (1.41 billion USD), representing a 16% year-on-year rise.
Meanwhile, the neighbouring central city of Hue welcomed more than 100 passengers on flight VN6317 from Hanoi which landed at the Phu Bai International Airport at 9:15 a.m. It’s the first flight that carries the first tourists to the city in 2025.
Of them, four received round-trip domestic flight tickets from Vietnam Airlines and Pacific Airlines, along with souvenirs from the tourism department while others enjoyed art performances and New Year gifts from city officials.
The event marks the beginning of the Hue Festival 2025 and a series of year-round tourism activities celebrating Hue as a centrally run city from January 1, 2025 and the “Visit Vietnam Year - Hue 2025”.
In the central province of Quang Nam, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Le Van Dung offered gifts and congratulations to the first visitors to its Hoi An ancient town, including 18 from Italy.
Nguyen Van Lanh, Vice Chairman of the Hoi An city People’s Committee, stated that Quang Nam province welcomed 8 million tourists in 2024, with Hoi An alone attracting over 4.5 million, reaffirming its status as a leading tourist destination.
Arriving in the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre on January 1, visitors from Canada, Germany, Italy, Hungary, and Russia were warmly received and gifted local souvenirs.
At Buon Ma Thuot airport, the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak welcomed the 1.5 millionth tourist and the first flight to the province in 2025, with traditional gong performances.
The first three passengers received flowers, gifts, and round-trip air tickets while all passengers on the flight were given a pair of tickets each to visit local tourist attractions, and a Dak Lak travel guide book./.
