HÀ NỘI — A drone light show will sparkle the Hà Nội sky this coming weekend, part of the capital city's plan to push tourism in 2024.

The municipal Department of Tourism has launched a programme entitled Get on Hà Nội - Scent of Tây Hồ 2024, which will be held on March 9-10 at the Tây Hồ Creative Cultural Space at Trịnh Công Sơn walking street.

According to organisers, the programme will bring visitors a new experience, a combination of modernity and an epic story based on Hà Nội history through a semi-realistic art show and a light show with laser mapping technology.

The highlight will be a light show of hundreds of drones taking off in the night sky that will promise a spectacle of dancing lights in the night sky, synchronised to music, leaving people in awe and wonder.

The 15-minute unique artistic light work beginning at 9.30pm on March 9 will allow visitors to explore famous scenic spots found throughout the capital, starting from Tây Hồ District. Meanwhile, the drone lights will also depict beautiful stories and images of Vietnamese culture.

Prior to the show, there will be culinary and specialty experiences along with booths displaying tourist products, areas for taking photos and check-ins, and traditional folk games.

A exhibition will give visitors a glimpse of the charming capital city captured in award-winning works of the recent photo contest Welcome Hà Nội City. 

During the event, organisers will hold a ceremony to announce a decision of the City People's Committee on recognising Tây Hồ District's Nhật Tân Tourist Area as an urban-level tourist destination.

The recognition will help the district deploy its promotional activities to attract visitors to visit, explore and enjoy local cuisine and tourist sites.

Main attractions include Nhật Tân Communal House, Tảo Sách Pagoda, Nhật Tân traditional peach blossom craft village, West Lake flower valley and a water park.

"The programme aims to promote the image of Hà Nội as a safe, friendly, quality and attractive destination," said Đặng Hương Giang, director of the Hà Nội Department of Tourism. "It is to attract more and more tourists to Hà Nội, actively boosting the development of Việt Nam's tourism and making a positive contribution to the capital's socio-economic development."

The Get on Hà Nội is one of the activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the capital's Liberation Day (October 10, 1954 - October 10, 2024).

It is also the opener of many interesting cultural, festival and tourism activities throughout 2024. More than 50 events, including Hà Nội Tourism Festival 2024; Hà Nội Tourism Gift Festival 2024; Hà Nội Autumn Festival; Craft Village Culinary and Tourism Festival; and Hà Nội Áo Dài Festival 2024, will take place.

The city targets to host around 27 million visitors this year, up 9.2 per cent from a year ago. This includes 5.5 million international arrivals, up 16.4 per cent from the 2023 benchmark, and 21.5 million domestic visitors, up 7.5 per cent.

Total revenue from tourists is expected to reach VNĐ104 trillion (US$4.2 billion), up 11.1 per cent compared to 2023. VNS