The UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site of Hoi An in the central province of Quang Nam is holding a programme themed “Welcome the 2018 New Year” from December 24 to January 2.

A corner of Hoi An ancient city

The programme features art shows and food served at night, exhibitions of photos of landscapes of Quang Nam province, and dance and jazz bands performances.

Various activities will take place on New Year’s Eve, including art shows, dances and dress festival. The tourism agencies who brought the most tourists to the city in 2017 will be honoured on the occasion.

Nguyen Van Son, Vice Chairman of the Hoi An city People’s Committee said the programme is expected to impress visitors to the ancient city.

A ceremony will be held at Cau pagoda at 9:00 am on January 1 to welcome the first tourists to the city in 2018.

Covering 60 square kilometres, Hoi An ancient town has many temples, pagodas and old houses. It was included in the World Cultural Heritage list in 1999.

It was a renowned international trade port in the 17th century where ships from Japan, China, and European countries docked to exchange wares. Cultural exchange also took place in the port, influencing the town in ways that remain visible today.

In 2012, it was shortlisted for the top ten Asian cities in the US-magazine Conde Nast's Traveler's Readers Choice Awards.

The following year, the UNESCO-recognised world heritage was chosen for the Townscape Award by the UN-Habitat Regional Office in Asia.-VNA