According to Vietnamese traditional custom, the first foreign visitor to Hanoi is considered the first-foot, who brings luck and expectation of a smooth start for the new year.

A French national was the first foreign arrival to Hanoi in 2020, who was accorded a warm welcoming ceremony by the municipal Tourism Department, Vietnam Airlines Corporation and Noi Bai International Airport.
Alain Baron (middle), a French national, was the first foreign guest to Hanoi in 2020. Photo: Tuoi tre va Phap luat. |
Alain Baron, a French national flying on flight VN18 of flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, which landed at the Noi Bai International Airport at 6.am on January 1, was the first foreign visitor to Hanoi in 2020.
Baron and other 14 foreign visitors were welcomed at a ceremony, one of the significant activities to promote and lure inbound tourists to Hanoi. During the ceremony, the Hanoi Tourism Department affirmed that Vietnam’s capital is a safe, hospitable, high-quality and attractive destination.
According to Vietnamese traditional custom, the first foreign visitor to Hanoi is considered the first-foot, who brings luck and expectation of a smooth start for the new year.
The number of tourists to Hanoi reached nearly 29 million in 2019, up 10% year-on-year, including over 7 million foreigners, an inter-yearly increase of 17%.
In 2020, Hanoi sets the goals of receiving 31 million visitors, including 8.22 million foreign holidaymakers.
Last year, Hanoi was nominated as one of the world's 19 leading destination cities by the prestigious World Travel Awards.
Other News
- Travel booms in young people on a year lost to Covid-19
- Vietnamese travel businesses anticipate better tourism prospects for 2022
- Hanoi targets to welcome 12 million visitors in 2022
- Vietnam named “Best River Cruise Destination in Asia in 2021”
- Hanoi welcomes 300,000 tourists in November after pandemic hiatus
- Railway through Central of Vietnam listed among six amazing Asia train journeys
- Hanoi needs flexible solution to deliver aid to tour guides
- Hanoi's tourism firms get creative to survive during the pandemic
- Travel agents promote Covid-19 vaccine tours abroad
- Resurgence of Covid-19 puts pressure on Hanoi tourism sector
Trending
-
SEA Games 31: Vietnam and Thailand to compete for football gold medal
-
PM ends US trip with prospects of enhanced relations
-
Where to go and what to do in Hanoi for locals and tourists?
-
Exhibitions mark President Ho Chi Minh’s 132nd birthday anniversary
-
The Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership facilitates investment activities: PM
-
FPT opens new office in New York, 10th in US
-
Vietnam’s e-commerce: driver for economic recovery in post-Covid-19
-
Vietnam, Qualcomm boost cooperation for 5G development
-
SEA Games 31 delegates get free Hanoi Bus Tour