A visitor checks in with giant lanterns on the Japanese bridge in Hoi An. The ancient city began promoting tourism after long deadlock by COVID-19. VNS Photos Cong Thanh

The programme will offer a promotion package for the first 1,000 tourists visiting Hoi An on three first lunar New Year days (February 12-14).

Each ‘lucky money’ gift will help tourists enjoy a night at luxury resorts.

Chairman of the Quang Nam Tourism Association, Phan Xuan Thanh said the programme was an initiative of 30 travel agencies, resorts and tour services to promote tourism activities among local visitors and foreign residents in Vietnam.

Giant lanterns are used to decorate the Old Quarter and destinations of Hoi An at night. Big size lanterns were set up at destinations as check-in sites for photos among tourists.

Thanh said it’s a chance for Vietnamese tourists to explore destinations in the central province of Quang Nam and Hoi An with the best ever price for luxury service and accommodations.

Pham Vu Dung, a mastermind of the Wake Up Hoi An programme, said local travel agencies have received bookings from local tourists for the Christmas and New Year holiday.

He said tourists visiting the Old Quarter and popular destinations in Hoi An will enjoy free entrance tickets and the best promotion for tour programmes.

He said a local business group has created charming check-in sites setting big size twin-lanterns for tourists to take photos during tours in Hoi An.

Big lanterns, which were set up at the Japanese Bridge and in the Old Quarter on Tuesday, will create an attractive image for tourists when walking the peaceful ancient streets.

Hoi An will also host regular art performances, regular festivals and night markets from December through February.

Local crafts shops and expat vendors will display their products in the Old Quarter during the promotion programme.

A street in Hoi An is seen after uninterrupted rain and flood in 2020. The Old Quarter of Hoi An was decorated and cleaned for hosting tourists during lunar New Year and Christmas season.

The Tan Thanh Flea Market on Nguyen Phan Vinh street on An Bang beach – 5km from Hoi An – is a rendezvous for local residents and tourists to enjoy shopping for local handmade environmentally friendly crafts every weekend.  VNS

New Year celebrations begin in Da Nang, Hoi An

The central city of Da Nang will host the ‘Da Nang New Year’ festival at the Asia Park and street performance on the Han River banks from December 30 to January 3.