Danang and Quang Ninh Celebrate Lunar New Year with a Grand Welcome for First Foreign Tourists, Marking a Surge in Tourism Arrivals and New Year Festivities

Published on January 29, 2025

In an effort to boost the tourism industry, the central Vietnamese cities of Danang and Quang Ninh have celebrated the Lunar New Year of 2025 with large-scale welcoming ceremonies, marking the arrival of both sea and air tourists.

Danang Welcomes First Cruise Tourists of the Year

On January 29, Danang hosted a special ceremony to greet over 800 tourists from the United States who arrived aboard the Crystal Symphony cruise ship. The ship had set sail from Singapore on January 18, making stops in Thailand and Cambodia before reaching Vietnam. As part of the celebrations, local officials presented flowers and souvenirs to the visitors, making them the first tourists to arrive in Danang during the Lunar New Year. The tourists were given the chance to explore the city’s iconic attractions, including the Linh Ung Pagoda, the Museum of Cham Sculpture, and My Khe Beach, all of which are well known for their natural beauty and cultural significance.

The welcoming ceremony was designed to enhance the festive atmosphere for the tourists, and it was part of the city’s broader tourism strategy. On the same day, Danang’s airport also saw a number of air tourists arriving, with local authorities organizing a lion dance performance and giving guests special gifts, including conical hats, candied ginger, grilled coconut cakes, and sesame brittle. Tourists were also provided with vouchers for sightseeing and entertainment at the city’s top tourist spots, further enriching their experience.

Danang’s tourism officials emphasized that these welcoming events were a part of the city’s continued efforts to create a lively, engaging environment for visitors during the Lunar New Year. Looking ahead, Danang aims to introduce even more innovative tourism products to further enhance the experience for both domestic and international travelers.

A Growing Trend of International and Domestic Tourism in Vietnam

The tourism industry in Danang has been rapidly expanding in recent years, and this year’s Lunar New Year celebrations highlight the continued growth of the sector. The city’s tourism department reports that, on the first day of the Lunar New Year, Danang International Airport was set to welcome over 140 flights, including 65 international flights carrying approximately 10,000 international passengers. The total number of passengers arriving was estimated at around 20,000 for the day, underlining the growing importance of Danang as a prime tourist destination.

Quang Ninh Celebrates Record-High Arrival Figures

On the same day, in Quang Ninh province, the arrival of the Silver Dawn cruise ship, which carried nearly 500 tourists from Europe and America, marked a significant event in the region’s Lunar New Year celebrations. The visitors were warmly greeted at Ha Long International Passenger Port by local officials and tourism leaders. As part of the festivities, the province’s tourism department welcomed passengers from a VietJet Air flight arriving at Van Don International Airport, further underlining Quang Ninh’s growing appeal to international tourists. The passengers, many of whom were foreign nationals, were greeted with traditional flowers and “li xi” (lucky money), a special part of the New Year tradition in Vietnam.

Tourism Growth and Revenue Goals for Quang Ninh in 2025

Quang Ninh’s tourism sector has ambitious goals for 2025, targeting the attraction of 20 million visitors, including 4.5 million international tourists. The province also aims to generate an estimated tourism revenue of around VNĐ55 trillion (approximately US$2.19 billion), a testament to its expanding tourism potential. Quang Ninh’s most famous attraction, Ha Long Bay, continues to attract global attention, bolstering the region’s economy and driving further tourism development.

The Impact of These Celebrations on Vietnam’s Tourism Industry

Both Danang and Quang Ninh’s efforts are part of Vietnam’s larger plan to position itself as a global tourism hub, attracting both regional and international travelers. With the country’s tourism sector recovering and expanding post-pandemic, these activities demonstrate how effective welcoming ceremonies, cultural performances, and special promotions can create an exceptional tourist experience.

Vietnam’s rising popularity as a tourist destination can also be attributed to its unique combination of natural beauty, historical sites, and vibrant local culture. Both Danang and Quang Ninh stand as shining examples of how local authorities and the tourism industry can collaborate to increase visitation and boost tourism revenue.

Global Effects on Travelers

The welcoming ceremonies, new flight routes, and targeted efforts by Danang and Quang Ninh to increase tourism accessibility provide tourists with more options for travel in the region. For global travelers, this means better opportunities to explore iconic sites in Vietnam and to enjoy new, immersive cultural experiences. Additionally, the country’s tourism goals for 2025 emphasize the importance of sustainability, innovation, and customer-focused strategies, providing travelers with exciting new prospects for exploration.

For the global tourism industry, the growing demand for travel to Vietnam reflects the increasing global trend toward immersive cultural tourism. As travelers seek more authentic experiences, destinations like Danang and Quang Ninh are perfectly positioned to offer just that, making them key players in the global tourism market.