At 7.20am on Saturday, a welcome ceremony for the first 128 air passengers to set foot in Da Nang on Lunar New Year's Day (the 1^st day of the 1^st lunar month) took place at the city's International Airport.

First tourists on a flight of Vietnam Airlines were welcomed at Da Nang International Airport on the first day of the Lunar New Year

The first footers from both home and abroad arrived on the Vietnam Airlines-operated flight VN110 from Ho Chi Minh City.

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

At the welcome ceremony, representatives from the Department of Tourism presented flowers to the first air passengers, and took photos of memorable moments with them.

In addition, the national flag carrier offered lucky gifts to all passengers and three special return tickets (two domestic and one international flight) to three lucky draw passengers.

One of the first international footers in Da Nang on Lunar New Year's Day

Amongst the first footers, Ms Vo Thi Le from Ho Chi Minh City said she decided to spend this year’s Tet holiday in Da Nang because Da Nang boasted fresh air, and beautiful scenery, especially clean and blue sea, which are very suitable for her to relax after a hard working year.

Meanwhile, Mr Daniel Roetzer from the USA said after a trip to Ho Chi Minh City, he and her girlfriend visited Da Nang.

“From Da Nang, we can easily visit the UNESCO-recognised world heritage sites of Hue Citadel in Thua Thien Hue Province, and Hoi An and My Son Sanctuary in Quang Nam Province. Therefore, we will stay long in the city”, he added.

As many as 3,000 international visitors arrive in the city in the morning of Lunar New Year's Day

Also on Saturday morning, apart from domestic flights, more than 20 international flights from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia, carrying a total of about 3,000 passengers, landed at Da Nang International Airport.

According to Director of the municipal Tourism Department Truong Thi Hong Hanh, the city is predicted to have received an estimated 160,00 visitors over the 7-day Tet holiday break, a rise of 25% against the same period last year.

By HOANG HIEP - Translated by MAI DUNG