In Da Nang, you’ve got to hand it to the Golden Bridge. It’s quickly become one of Asia’s biggest social media stars and snapping a selfie with the giant hands in the background is a must for any visit.
Da Nang has been ranked 15th among 20 destinations to check off your bucket list in 2020, according to Courier-Mail, a daily tabloid newspaper published in Brisbane, Australia.
Nestled between popular tourist hot spots Hoi An and Hue, Australian newspaper said that it’s been easy to overlook the central coast city of Da Nang – but not any more.
The opening of the mesmerizing Golden Bridge (an elevated mountain platform cradled by giant stone hands) last year has put Da Nang firmly on the tourist trail and Wotif.com managing director Daniel Finch predicts it will become one of the country’s real hot spots next year.
“In the last three years we’ve already seen huge growth for Da Nang with demand up over 65 per cent,” he says. “The city’s rich culture, unspoilt beaches, increasing development and long list of luxury resorts are sure to make Da Nang a must-visit in 2020 and beyond.
Daniel Finch believes the purpose-built tourism city of Cocobay, set to open next year, will soon rival the likes of Phuket and Balifor Aussies looking for a southeast Asian adventure.
“The Cocobay hospitality precinct will include an opera house, sports arena, plus array of shops, restaurants and bars,” he says.
The twin towers of the Viceroy Da Nang Hotel, also scheduled to open next year, will make a dramatic entry statement for the precinct, in the same way the Petronas Twin Towers define the skyline of Kuala Lumpur.
Tokyo in Japan tops the list, followed by Siargao in Philippines, Tel Aviv in Israel, Utah in the US, Torres Strait in Queensland, Spain, Sicily in Italy, etc.
The number of visitors to Da Nang in the first quarter of 2019 is estimated at 1.8 million, with arrivals by air increasing 56.5% on-year, according to the municipal Department of Tourism.
Da Nang aims to welcome 8.19 million visitors throughout 2019, up 6.9% year-on-year. The figure includes 3.19 million foreigners, an increase of 11%. The tourism sector aims to gross VND27.4 trillion (US$1.18 billion) in revenue, up 13.9% against the previous year.
The Tea for Harmony: Yaji Cultural Salon and tourism promotion event themed Meet Guangxi (Baise) brought distinctive Chinese cultural features to the capital through activities organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
The Phu Quy special zone, an island district off the south-central coast of Vietnam, is capitalising on its strong marine economy potential, particularly in tourism and fisheries, to transform the island’s economy, improve local livelihoods and position itself as a key sea-based economic hub.
Vietnam national U17 football team secured a place at the FIFA U17 World Cup 2026 for the first time after defeating United Arab Emirates national U17 football team 3-2 on in the final Group C match of the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 in Saudi Arabia on early May 14 (Vietnam time).
A twinning agreement between Da Lat Railway Station in Vietnam and Trouville-Deauville Railway Station in France was signed at the French Embassy in Vietnam on May 7, creating new opportunities for cooperation in station management and operations, as well as cultural and tourism promotion between the two sides.
As Tay Ninh identifies tourism as a crucial economic pillar, integrating Don ca tai tu into tourism offerings is seen as a strategic move.
The recognition of Chuyen My and Son Dong craft villages as members of the World Crafts Cities network represents international acknowledgement of the cultural value, artisanal techniques, creativity and sustainable vitality of Vietnam’s traditional craft villages, he said.
Co-hosted by the municipal People’s Committee, the Department of Culture and Sports, and domestic and foreign agencies, the whole spectacle is meant to honour the city’s millennia-old heritage while reafffirming its strategy of establishing culture as a development engine.
In the context of deep international integration, cultural identity serves as both a “shield” against assimilation and a defining marker of a nation’s image. Protecting and promoting uniquely Vietnamese cultural values has therefore become a pressing task, particularly in an increasingly complex digital environment.
In Ho Chi Minh City, leaders, residents, overseas Vietnamese, students and pupils offered incense and flowers in tribute to the Hung Kings and Nguyen Huu Canh, credited with opening up the Sai Gon – Gia Dinh area.
The gathering offers a platform for photographers worldwide to exchange ideas and share experiences, marking the fourth edition of the event.
A survey by booking.com shows that around 33% of Vietnamese respondents are planning short domestic trips for the upcoming Hung Kings Commemoration Day and Reunification Day (April 30)–May Day (May 1) holidays, while 22% are opting for longer international journeys compared to last year.
In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam posted the fastest tourism growth in the region, welcoming 6.76 million international arrivals, up 12.4% year-on-year. Key markets such as China, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan continued to underpin demand.
From the moment attendees entered the exhibition space in Paris, visitors were enveloped in a harmonious blend of sensory experiences, with the delicate aroma of tea, the robust notes of coffee, and the vivid colours of Vietnamese handicrafts.
Only when culture is nurtured basing on the self-awareness and pride of each individual can it exist and develop sustainably, remarked Party General Secretary and State President To Lam.
This year’s festival drew the participation of 15 representatives from embassies in Russia, along with a large number of students from countries, including Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Haiti.
With its large scale, the ITE HCMC 2026 aims to promote tourism cooperation between Vietnam and priority markets such as Northeast Asia, Western Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, and Oceania while also boosting visitor arrivals from the Indian market
Mui Ne’s appearance in global trend reports signals a new movement, where destinations can no longer rely solely on scenery but must tell their own stories and craft distinctive and personalised experiences.
Although widely regarded as a cultural “speciality” attracting tourists, Vietnamese puppetry is facing multiple challenges in preservation and development, requiring renewed efforts to both safeguard its identity and adapt to contemporary cultural currents.
By 2030, the project targets the establishment of shared digital platforms across 100% of cultural sectors. All digitised cultural heritage will be standardised under the national data framework and shared in accordance with regulations, while 80% of public digital heritage assets are expected to receive digital identifiers to clarify ownership and management, encouraging organisations and individuals to do the same and support market development.
Vietnam has in recent years undergone a notable transformation in its tourism development strategy, placing a strong emphasis on nature-based and eco-tourism. This shift is not merely aligned with global trends, but represents a necessary step towards safeguarding valuable natural resources, while appealing to a growing segment of environmentally conscious travellers.