Seoul and Singapore Airlines double down on Danang

In recent days, Korean Air announced plans for three more flights per week from Seoul, beginning October 27, and Silk Air added a Thursday flight from Singapore commencing October 31.

The moves mirrored expansions made earlier in the year by Vietnam Airlines from both Seoul and Siem Reap, Dragonair from Hong Kong and Shanghai Airlines from Shanghai. 

"The central coast has never been as accessible as it is right now," said Louk Lennaerts, chairman of Central Coast Vietnam (CCV), a destination marketing organisation comprised of the area's premier hotels, resorts and golf clubs. "But Danang's new airport has the capacity to handle more traffic, and we're working to open those runways."

Later this month, Central Coast Vietnam representatives and members of Vietnam's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will conduct a roadshow to Bangkok in hopes of reopening a connection between Danang and Thailand's capital, which in May became the world's most popular tourist destination according to data compiled by MasterCard.  

The Danang-Bangkok route was served by Thailand's PB Air from 2007 until 2009, when the carrier ceased operations.

The new Korean Air and Silk Air flights mean that both carriers are now running daily flights to Danang.

The Korean Air service is an ideal connection for those coming from the United States. Including Asiana Air and Vietnam Airlines, there are now 14 flights coming in to Danang from Seoul every week.

The additional Silk Air flights open the doors more widely for Australia, the United Kingdom and other European markets.

Other airlines currently offering international service to Vietnam's third largest city include China Eastern Airlines (from Beijing) and China Southern Airlines (from Shenzhen).

Danang continues to emerge as a long-stay alternative to Bali and Phuket for its proximity to vast, white-sand beaches, three UNESCO World Heritage sites (Hoi An, Hue and My Son), three new golf courses designed by the game's biggest names (Nick Faldo, Greg Norman and Colin Montgomerie) and an increasing number of international 5-star beach resorts.