Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan, Head of the State Tourism Development Steering Committee, National Assembly Deputy Chairman Nguyen Phuc Thanh and General Director of the Vietnam Administration of Tourism Vo Thi Thang attended the announcement ceremony.

Under the glistening light from hundreds of multi-coloured lanterns, the "Hoi An - heritage itinerary" programme reproduced a busy Hoi An urban trading center of many years ago. Despite the ups and downs of history, Hoi An still preserves valuable historical and cultural heritage treasures.

The "A legendary My Son" programme took place in the My Son relic area with three programme: "Legend and spirit," "Champa culture and harmony ballet" and "My Son invites visitors." With the wonderful visuals created by lightning techniques and smoke screens, performing artists led visitors through the legendary Champa land.

At the Ha Ky wharf in the Chu Lai open economic zone, a future modern city, an art performance programme titled "Chu Lai - Integration and Development" introduced visitors to a new land through two chapters, "A new day in Chu Lai" and "Rhythm of the open land."

Tens of thousands of visitors, including thousands of foreign tourists, joined the programme in three places, which was broadcast live on television.

The province expects to attract between 1.5 and 2 million tourists in 2006, according to the Quang Nam Tourism Department. Last year, the province welcomed more than 1.2 million visitors, over 60 percent of them foreigners.