On Tuesday morning, a welcome ceremony for the first 180 international air passengers to set foot in Da Nang on New Year’s Day, took place at the city’s International Airport.

A representative from the Tourism Department (left) warmly welcoming the first foreign air passenger arriving in the city

The foreign first footers from many countries worldwide arrived on a direct Hong Kong Express-operated flight UO550 from Hong Kong.

The ceremony was hosted by representatives from the municipal Department of Tourism, and the city’s International Airport.

Also at the event, representatives from the Department of Tourism presented flowers to the first international air passengers, and took photos of memorable moments with them.

Amongst the foreign air passengers, Mr Marc Lephingand, a Frecnch national living in Hong Kong, was deeply touched by the warm welcome given by representatives from the city authorities.

He remarked that, during his stay in Da Nang, he would visit some local attractions to explore the beauty of the land, people and culture of the city, and then discover Hoi An City in the neighbouring province of Quang Nam.

The first air passengers setting foot in the city being happy to receive the warm welcome given by representatives from the city authorities

Currently, there are 15 scheduled and 8 charter direct international air routes connecting Da Nang with other destinations worldwide.

Noticeably, the newly-opened non-stop route connecting Da Nang with Qatar’s Doha helps the central city connect with 150 business and leisure destinations in the Middle East, Western Europe, and North America, hereby boosting trade links between Vietnamese and international businesses.

According to Ms Truong Thi Hong Hanh, the Vice Director of the municipal Tourism Department, in an effort to meet the diversified demands of domestic and foreign visitors arriving in the city this year, importance is being attached to developing new tourism products, and promoting the progress of M.I.C.E (Meetings-Incentives-Conferences-Exhibitions), and cultural tourism.

According to the latest figures released by the city’s Tourism Department, international air passenger arrivals to the city in 2018 climbed by 48.7% against the previous year to reach about 2.35 million.