Turning Danang into a city that never sleeps

Dr. Luong Hoai Nam, a member of the Tourism Advisory Board (TAB), discussed the idea at a workshop on developing Danang organised by Vietnam Investment Review in collaboration with Sun Group on June 27.

Bringing up tourism products, events, and activities that could turn Danang into a city that never sleeps, Sun Group’s representative Tran Nguyen said the city is rich in potential. “In terms of investment opportunities, we voted Danang as the most worthy place to invest and today it is still where Sun Group is most active,” said Nguyen.

He added that the city is not only one of the best tourist destinations in Vietnam but also a place of nature, favourable terrain, and full of human harmony for the central region. “Nowhere else can develop tourism and economic development better than Danang,” Nguyen insisted.

Sun Group has poured money into Danang for more than 15 years. Golden Bridge has helped attract tourists not only to Sun World Ba Na Hills but to Danang and the country as a whole. There has also been an international fireworks festival for more than 10 years.

“Danang is considered a place worth visiting and living in, but we cannot be complacent. If we stop developing, the city will fall behind others,” Nguyen warned.

Indeed, Sun Word Ba Na Hills has attempted to add to Golden Bridge with other wonders such as the Sun God Waterfall, Time Gate, Moon Castle, and a battle show in the Moon Kingdom, all hoping to entice tourists back again and again.

Chairman of the Danang Tourism Association Cao Tri Dung added that the city is developing the night economy and focusing on making sure Danang turns into a livable city. In order to do this, and to identify the city as a regional destination as well as a national destination, the tourism community has identified five key product groups in order to maximise the potential and advantages.

High-class marine tourism is the first, and the second converging heritages by creating groups of cultural and historical products.

“Danang also needs to be identified as a business tourist destination through conferences, exhibitions, and more. We are a destination that can attract corporations, companies, and event organisers to elevate our position,” said Dung.

Danang is also oriented towards becoming an urban tourist city, attracting tourists to have fun, shop, study, and stay healthy. Finally, ecology is the fifth key product group. “Forests, mountains, rivers, and lakes still develop in the west of the city. This form of tourism is very suitable for new trends,” said Dung.

Nam of the TAB said that although Danang is small in comparison to regional metropolises, it still has a lot going for it in terms of the coastal attractions and the tourism ecosystem in general.

“We are determined to turn tourism into a spearhead economic sector. If the whole country sees tourism contribute 9 per cent to GDP, Danang must take advantage of every opportunity to contribute to higher growth, and about 15 per cent is achievable,” Nam said.

He added that Vietnam does not currently have a super-rich tourism ecosystem, and a new project on this issue would be crucial to the country’s tourism future, as well as Danang in particular.

A first big move to serve this direction, he added, is to quickly expand Danang airport to the east at an international level and include VIP aircraft services as soon as possible.