INKED: Representatives of Vietnam Airlines, Quảng Nam province and Hội An Express sign a tourism promotion campaign in the province from now until September 30. VNS Photos Công Thành

HỘI AN — The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and representatives of 65 travel businesses have agreed to launch a tourism promotion campaign in the central province of Quảng Nam.

A series of discounts and vouchers from 30 to 40 per cent will be offered for tourists visiting notable destinations and UNESCO-recognised world heritage sites. The campaign is called ‘A Touch of Summer’ and will last until September 30.

The provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has been boosting the communication programmes in co-operation with Thiên Minh Group, Vietnam Airlines, and Tiktok with a target of hosting seven million tourists in 2023, director of the Department Nguyễn Thanh Hồng said.

PARADISE: The Chàm Islands, off the coast of Hội An, attract tourists with their pristine nature. The islands are recognised as a world biosphere reserve site.

Hồng said the province has received five million tourists in the first half of 2023, of which 70 per cent were domestic travellers, earning revenue of VNĐ4 trillion (US$160 million).

He said the number of tourists has seen positive growth since COVID, but spending among tourists is yet to reach 2019 levels.

“We have been working with Thiên Minh Group in boosting tourism promotions in Hà Nội, HCM City, Australia and London as well as using social media to boost interest,” Hồng said.

ANCIENT: Tourists visit a tower of the Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary in Quảng Nam Province. The UNESCO-recognised world heritage site is one of the most visited sites in the province.

“Quảng Nam has been building green tourism standards and running a campaign called 'Zero Waste and Plastic Tourism' in collaboration with hotels and tour operators in the province.”

Trần Thái Do, the owner of Silk Sense Resort & Spa, said that 90 per cent of the resort's services are plastic-free and they've introduced a strong focus on recycling.

He said the resort aims to announce it is completely plastic-free by September.

In Hội An, 12 hotels and resorts have been rewarded for their green tourism efforts since the province first promoted the initiative in 2021.

The provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will be soon launching a website called visitQuangnam to better serve international tourists.

Quảng Nam is the only province in Việt Nam with two UNESCO-recognised world heritage sites. These are the Hội An ancient town and the Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary. Also worthy of note is the world biosphere reserve site of the Chàm Islands.

HERITAGE: Silk weaving is still preserved in Quảng Nam Province. The craft serves as a tour experience in Hội An ancient town.

Last year, the Hội An Memories Land – an exhibition of art, performances, entertainment and a resort & spa in the middle of the Thu Bồn River – was named the world's leading entertainment destination 2022 at the World Travel Awards in Oman.

The complex was designed as an environmentally sustainable site for domestic and international tourists.

It also hosts the Ký Ức Hội An (Hội An Memories) show on the 400-year history and development of Hội An during the Đại Việt (Great Việt) State in the 15th-18th century on an open-air stage in the middle of the Thu Bồn River.

Hội An ancient town was voted the most attractive site in Quảng Nam with 60 per cent of tourists visiting the town. — VNS