Hoi An welcomes the first Italian tourist group to visit in 2025.

Ceremony welcoming tourists across An Hoi Bridge to the Bridge Pagoda area. Photo: Provided.

A group of 18 Italian tourists participated in a tour of Hoi An organized by Mien A Dong Joint Stock Company. This is reportedly the second consecutive year that Hoi An has welcomed a group of Italian tourists as the first visitor of the year.

Tourist Elisabetta Casiragh said that she and everyone in her group were very impressed and moved by the warm welcome they received from the local authorities and people at the beginning of the new year 2025.

Tourists excitedly capture memories after receiving such a warm welcome. Photo: Provided

Speaking at the event, Mr. Nguyen Van Lanh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hoi An City, said that "first visitor of the year" is a beautiful custom of the Vietnamese people in general and the people of Hoi An in particular.

The fact that the city welcomed a group of tourists from Italy – the cultural capital of Europe and also the cradle of the Renaissance, sharing similarities and compatibility with the culture of Hoi An, Quang Nam in terms of art, cultural heritage, and performing arts – during the New Year is an opportunity for Hoi An to continue its journey of building a global creative city.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Van Dung presents gifts to the Italian tourist group. Photo: Provided.

"The people of Hoi An are always hospitable and warmly welcome all visitors. Hoi An hopes that the members of your group will return to Hoi An many more times and introduce more friends to Vietnam and to Hoi An," Mr. Lanh said.

Following the welcoming ceremony, the group toured Hoi An Ancient Town, admiring its many well-preserved ancient architectural structures; they also experienced cultural and artistic activities and witnessed demonstrations of traditional local crafts.

[ VIDEO ] - Welcoming the first group of tourists to visit Hoi An Ancient Town in 2025:

Provincial leaders, along with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the city of Hoi An, took a commemorative photo with the Italian tourist group. Photo: Provided.

[VIDEO] - Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Van Dung shares his expectations for the development of Quang Nam's tourism industry in 2025:

Hoi An is a popular destination attracting international tourists due to its long history and harmonious blend of Eastern and Western cultures.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Van Dung pays respects at the Cau Pagoda historical site at the beginning of the year. Photo: Provided.

The city expects that welcoming the first group of tourists in 2025 will be a symbolic event showcasing the warm welcome and hospitality of the local people; promising to usher in a vibrant tourism year, attracting more domestic and international tourists to visit and experience, thereby contributing to the socio-economic development of the locality.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/hoi-an-don-doan-khach-y-xong-dat-nam-2025-3146894.html