Experience Vigan's Rich Culture and Heritage with the Vigan Tourist Passport

Vigan, Ilocos sur is a charming and picturesque city, full of culture and vibes that may as well take you back about a couple hundred years in time. I recently went to witness the launch of the Ciudad de Vigan Passaporte de Turista, also known as the Vigan Tourist Passport. This was in time with their Binatbatan Festival of the arts. Vigan is known for their well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, rich cultural heritage, and of course, Longganisa and Bagnet. 

Ciudad De Vigan Passaporte De Turista or Vigan Tourist Passport

The Vigan Tourist Passport is a new initiative by the city. Designed to promote tourism, it encourages visitors to explore the many attractions that Vigan has to offer, more than just taking a couple of shots around Calle Crisologo.

The Vigan Tourist Passport allows tourists to collect stamps from participating businesses and landmarks in exchange for prizes. To participate, tourists need to register for a minimum of 300 PHP at the Vigan City Tourism Office or any of the Vigan Tourist Passport kiosks you can find around Calle Crisologo. 

You can also opt for the 500 PHP passport that comes with freebies, namely a choice of bagnet, Abel Iloko placemats, or Vigan longganisa. Some of my friends registered for the passport, and you can collect more than one pasalubong upon registering for the 500 PHP passport via an additional 150PHP for the other freebies. 

Bagnet, a popular Ilocano way of serving up pork: Fried to perfect crispyness

Vigan Longganisa known for its garlic forward salty and savory flavor.

There is no age restriction when it comes to the passport, and I find it works as a nice souvenir as well.

You can use the passport to collect stamps from the different places you visit around the city. You can earn points via the stamps, and redeem them later for special discounts and freebies. Also included is a quick history of Vigan plus the iconic landmarks the heritage city is known for. You will find a QR code inside the passport leading to a website that guides visitors to the city's destinations. Some of which I am sure you have not seen yet.

So, what can you do in Vigan with your tourist passport? Here are some attractions and activities to consider:

Visit Calle Crisologo

This is perhaps the most iconic attraction in Vigan, and for good reason. The street is lined with well preserved Spanish colonial houses, some of which have been converted into shops selling traditional handicrafts, souvenirs, and local delicacies.

Visit the Hotel Luna Art Museum

Hotel Luna is the first Museum Hotel in the Philippines. This is one of the top places to stay in Vigan, as it has interesting facilities like their Museum, and it also has a pool for dipping after a long day. 

After having your breakfast or when you arrived a bit early for a stop over, you can ask the front desk to give a tour as the hotel is home to rare masterpieces of renowned artists. 

Some pieces that I found interesting were early sketches of Juan Luna, historic items made from Ivory and interesting paintings dating back to the 16th Century. 

Watch the Dancing Fountain Show

The dancing fountain at Plaza Salcedo is a popular attraction that combines water, music, and lights into a spectacular show that's fun for the whole family.

Visit the RG Jar Factory

Try your hand at the potter's wheel in RG Jar Factory. It is a family-owned pottery that produces handcrafted clay pots and jars. They offer a tour of the factory, and you can learn about the traditional pottery-making process known as Burnay, as well as the history of how Vigan is the place to be when it comes to pagburnay. 

Go on a Food Trip at Irene's Empanada and more!

   

Vigan is the place to go for foodies as they have lots of places that cater to different tastes and budgets. I highly recommend going to Irene's Empanada if you want the best empanada (a pastry filled with meat, vegetables, and egg) in different styles. Cafe Leona is another must try place, along with Marsha's Delicacies which serve some of the best Royal Bibingka, and they have a cute stall in the center of the Heritage City. 

The Vigan Tourist Passport is a great way to experience all that Vigan has to offer, while also collecting stamps, points and freebies along the way. So, whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, be sure to take advantage of this exciting new initiative, and explore the beauty and charm of Vigan, Ilocos Sur.