Connecting the World Through Cultural Tourism

Forging international partnerships with 16 cities in countries around the world, promoting tourism in key international markets, organizing a series of large-scale cultural, sports, and tourism events… this is how Da Nang invests in tourism and makes the "smoke-free" industry a key to connecting with the world.

The vibrant Han River - Photographer Nguyen Van Nhi Trinh

In 2024, 4.1 million international tourists visited the city on the Han River. In the first five months of 2025, the number of international tourists reached 2.2 million. The international flight network has also been expanded with 15 regular routes, with a frequency of 52 flights/day.

In the summer of 2025 alone, a series of major events will be held, such as the Da Nang International Marathon, the Da Nang Asian Film Festival, the Asian Golf Festival and tournament, and world-class shows at Ba Na Hills and Danang Downtown... In particular, the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF 2025), the largest-scale event ever, has become a magnet attracting tourists to Da Nang.

During the approximately one month of DIFF 2025 (from May 31st to June 30th, 2025), accommodation establishments are expected to serve around 1.17 million visitors, an increase of nearly 10.3% compared to the same period in 2024. Although the final night is on July 12th, the overall occupancy rate across the city is projected to reach 90-95%, with 4-5 star hotels almost reaching 100% occupancy.

The grandstands at DIFF are always fully booked. Photo: Sun Group

According to Mr. Marcos A. Bednarski – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Argentina to Vietnam, international events like DIFF have contributed to bringing the image of Da Nang city in particular and Vietnam in general to the world.

“Vietnam has long been famous for its unique cultural events, but in my opinion, Da Nang is one of the pioneering localities, playing a leading role. I completely agree with the vision of placing culture at the center – because culture is the bridge that connects people all over the world,” said Mr. Marcos A. Bednarski.

Furthermore, Da Nang also hopes to make DIFF the backbone of the city's tourism, trade, and entertainment event ecosystem. “It will not just be a ‘fireworks festival’ but a series of extended festivals, closely connected with other festival activities, promoting the night-time economy, MICE tourism events, street festivals, art performances, shopping spaces, and culinary experiences…” – said Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Thi, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Da Nang City.

Da Nang's tourism potential after the merger

DIFF and other large-scale events are just one link in the promising tourism and trade ecosystem of Da Nang after the merger.

Currently, Da Nang is the largest of the six centrally-governed cities. In terms of tourism alone, Da Nang is facing a great opportunity as it possesses many famous tourist destinations and products such as Ba Na Hills tourist area, My Khe beach, Hoi An World Heritage site, My Son World Heritage site, Cu Lao Cham World Biosphere Reserve…

The luxury InterContinental Danang Resort in Son Tra, Da Nang. Photo: Sun Group

Almost all types of tourism are concentrated in Da Nang, from ecotourism, heritage tourism, high-end entertainment tourism, cultural and sports tourism, MICE tourism to luxury resort tourism. In terms of accommodation alone, Da Nang leads the country with approximately 80,000 rooms, including the highest percentage of 5-star rooms in Vietnam.

According to an analysis by The Outbox Company – a data analysis company for the Asian tourism and travel industry – the number of international tourists staying in Da Nang after the merger could reach 6.1 million per year, surpassing Ho Chi Minh City, which is expected to welcome around 6 million international tourists in 2024.

The spectacular summer show on Ba Na Hills attracts tourists to Da Nang. Photo: Sun Group

In particular, international-scale festivals and events, most notably Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF), are not only a major boost for tourism development, but in the future, DIFF will be invested in to link with the development of a free trade zone in Da Nang. According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Thi, DIFF will receive larger-scale investment in the next five years to become a new growth engine for the night-time economy, tourism, and the city's brand, in line with Da Nang's vision of developing in a green, smart, and modern direction, positioning the city's cultural brand on the regional and international map.

Beyond expanding the scale and potential of tourism, Da Nang is facing a new opportunity with the expansion of economic zones from large industrial parks such as Dien Nam - Dien Ngoc, Chu Lai…; The Da Nang Free Trade Zone, with its functional areas for manufacturing, logistics, trade and services, digital technology, information technology, and innovation, not only makes Da Nang a crucial link in the global and Asia-Pacific regional supply chain network but also brings together the core elements of a global city and a world-class destination.

NEWS