Philippine Tour Group Receives Special New Year Welcome in Hoi An with Visit Indochina

More than 30 visitors from the Philippines, organized by Visit Indochina, experienced an unforgettable start to the New Year as they were warmly welcomed by local authorities as the first international tour group to visit Hoi An Ancient Town in 2026.

Visit Indochina tour guide leads Philippine tourists across An Hoi Bridge during the special New Year welcome ceremony in Hoi An.

On the morning of January 1, the Philippine tour group, guided by Visit Indochina, was enjoying a peaceful walking tour along Nguyen Phuc Chu Street in Hoi An when they were informed that they had officially become the first visitors to set foot in the ancient town on the first day of the year — a tradition known locally as “xông đất,” symbolizing good fortune, prosperity, and abundance.

Surprised and delighted, the group proceeded toward An Hoi Bridge, where a traditional Thien Cau (Heavenly Dog) dance troupe was already waiting to perform a ceremonial welcome for guests believed to bring luck and positive energy for the New Year.

As the visitors crossed the Hoai River, the rhythmic sound of drums and the vibrant Thien Cau dance filled the air, drawing applause and creating a festive atmosphere throughout the ancient town.

A vibrant Tian Gou dance, symbolizing luck and abundance, is performed to welcome the first international tourist group to Hoi An in 2026.

Leaders of Hoi An Ward, representatives of the local cultural sector, and the Director of Visit Indochina — the tour operator responsible for the “first-footing” group — personally welcomed the visitors, extending New Year greetings and presenting flowers to the delegation.

Mr. Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chairman of the Hoi An Ward People’s Committee, said that the annual tradition of welcoming the first tourist group of the year carries strong cultural significance and reflects the locality’s appreciation and hospitality toward visitors.

“Welcoming the first visitors of the year not only brings positive spiritual meaning for the New Year, but also demonstrates Hoi An’s respect and warm hospitality toward international tourists,” he noted.

The presence of Philippine visitors strolling through Hoi An at the very beginning of the year is seen as a positive signal, marking a promising start for Hoi An’s tourism sector in 2026.

Mr. Nguyen Son Thuy, Director of Visit Indochina, confirmed that the group consisted of more than 30 travelers from the Philippines.

Philippine visitors take part in the traditional New Year welcome ritual, receiving flower garlands that symbolize prosperity and good fortune in Hoi An.

In recent years, the Philippines has emerged as a key inbound tourism market for Central Vietnam, with steadily increasing visitor numbers and expanded frequencies on direct flight routes. It is also among the top 10 traditional source markets that Visit Indochina continues to prioritize and develop strategically.

In Vietnam, with its growing reputation and industry influence, Visit Indochina has continuously expanded its operations and has been entrusted by authorities in multiple provinces and cities to organize major tourism events and international programs.

In 2025, Visit Indochina received numerous prestigious tourism awards both domestically and internationally, and was honored by provincial and municipal authorities for its outstanding contributions to the tourism sector.

The company was also recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as one of the Top 10 international tour operators welcoming the highest number of inbound visitors to Vietnam in 2025.

Representatives of Hoi An authorities, the cultural sector, and Visit Indochina mark the New Year with a commemorative photo welcoming the first international visitors of 2026.

Hoi An local authorities and Visit Indochina host an official ceremony to welcome the first Philippine tourist group to Hoi An Ancient Town in 2026.

Looking ahead, Da Nang’s tourism sector aims to serve 19.1 million visitors in 2026. In 2025, the total number of domestic and international flights arriving at Da Nang International Airport and Chu Lai Airport exceeded 48,000 flights, representing a 12.4% increase compared to 2024.

With 8 domestic routes and 18 regular international routes currently in operation, Da Nang continues to accelerate efforts to restore and expand its air route network. Compared to 2024, four additional routes have been added, including the restoration of the Nha Trang domestic route, the Osaka (Japan) route, and the launch of new routes connecting Da Nang with Yangon (Myanmar) and Dubai (via Bangkok).

According to Da Nang International Airport and Chu Lai Airport authorities, during the 2026 New Year holiday period (from December 30, 2025 to January 4, 2026), the total number of domestic and international flights to Da Nang is estimated at 831 flights, an increase of 13.9% compared to the same period in 2025.

Of these, approximately 464 domestic flights are expected (up 18.9% year-on-year), along with 367 international flights (up 8.2% year-on-year), underscoring Da Nang’s continued recovery and growth as a leading tourism and aviation hub in Central Vietnam.

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