The UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site of Hoi An in Quang Nam Province is holding a programme themed ‘Welcome in the 2018 New Year’ from 24 December 2017 to 2 January 2018.

A peaceful corner of Hoi An City (Source: VNA)

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 arts shows, dances and dress festival.  The tourism agencies which brought the most tourists to the city in 2017 will be honoured on the occasion.

Mr Nguyen Van Son, the Vice Chairman of the Hoi An People’s Committee said the programme is expected to impress visitors from both home and abroad to the city.

The event will feature a variety of exciting activities organised in An Hoi Garden of Statues such as a night traditional arts performance and a cuisine showcase, and a photo exhibition featuring photos of Quang Nam’s tourism by both professional and unprofessional photographers nationwide.  In addition, there will be a dancing festival entitled 'Spring Dances' featuring performances by local senior high school students, and a night-time musical show with many local jazz bands.

Another highlight of the programme will be the re-appearance of the Hoi An town in the early 20^th century, the ceremony of honouring the travel agent who has brought the most tourists to the town.  Also a flash mob performance and a lucky lottery, which will all take place on 31 December .

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

Covering 60km², 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 17^th 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 10 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.

(Source: DA NANG Today/VNA)