A group of tourists from the US visit the Old Quarter of Hội An on a three-day tour. It’s the first international visitor returning to Hội An after a two-year block by COVID-19. Photo courtesy of Hội An city’s centre for information and sports

HỘI AN — A group of 126 visitors from the US paid a three-day tour to visit destinations of the ancient town of Hội An after Việt Nam officially opened the door for international tourists and flights on March 15.

The Hội An city’s centre for information and sports said it was the first international group returning to the UNESCO-recognised world heritage site after a two-year deadlock due to COVID-19.

It said the last 50 visitors from the US visited the town in November 2021, but the widespread infection of coronavirus then suspended tourists coming to Hội An.

The US travellers, who visited Hội An under the guidance of Asia Charm Asia, explored the fishing villages of Duy Hải, Trà Nhiêu; Cẩm Thanh nipa palm, carpentry Kim Bồng village, Thu Bồn River and Thanh Hà pottery village.

Tourists explore the Japanese Bridge -- an iconic symbol of Hội, An ancient town. Photo courtesy of Hội An City’s centre for Information and Sports

Earlier, a farm trip from Thailand, which included famous Thai singer Flute Chinnapat, also went to destinations in Đà Nẵng and Hội An.

The centre said Easia Travel company would bring a 50-member group of tourists from Germany to visit Hội An on April 7.

Last month, the central Quảng Nam province’s Culture, Sports and Tourism department and TikTok Việt Nam signed three-year cooperation on communication and promotion of tourism and destinations of the province through the Hello Quang Nam campaign.

The department also agreed with FPT Đà Nẵng University and Kool Việt Nam travel in the post-COVID-19 digital transformation and promotion of tourism as well as human resources training programmes.

A team of TikTokers begin their Hello Quang Nam tourism promotion campaign in 2022. Quảng Nam Province focuses on digital transformation in tourism in the post-COVID-19 tourism recovery plan. Photo courtesy of Quảng Nam tourism promotion centre

Quảng Nam – home to the UNESCO-recognised world heritages of Hội An ancient town and Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary, Chàm Islands-Hội An world biosphere reserve – has been hosting the National Tourism Year 2022.  

Cẩm Thanh nipa palm forest in suburban Hội An is a favoured tourist site. It’s an eco-tour destination in Hội An. Photo courtesy of Quảng Nam tourism promotion centre

A series of destinations at the Old Quarter, Thanh Hà pottery village, Chàm Islands and nipa palm Cẩm Thanh in Hội An have resumed tourism services.

The Ký Ức Hội An (Hội An Memories) show – a unique night arts performance for tourists exploring the 400-year history and development of Hội An in the 15th to 18th century – began hosting visitors on March 18. — VNS