Da Nang emerges as premier destination for Middle East’s affluent travellers
The official launch of Emirates’ Dubai–Da Nang route on June 2 has sparked a “tourism revolution” for Vietnam’s central coastal city. Da Nang is emerging as a top destination for high-end travelers, particularly from the lucrative Middle Eastern market.
Emirates’ first flight to Da Nang was greeted with a ceremonial water cannon salute.
Hanoi (VNA) - The Emirates’ Dubai–Da Nang route’s inauguration on June 2 not only marked a milestone for Vietnam’s aviation sector but also captured the attention of major international media outlets. Publications across Asia and beyond have published articles highlighting the immense tourism potential this new route unlocks, framing Da Nang as Southeast Asia’s emerging luxury destination, especially for Middle Eastern elites.
“The new direct route to Da Nang is a gateway for billionaires from one of the wealthiest regions on earth to access Vietnam’s central coast, carrying immense spending power”, said Travel Daily News Asia.
A key driver of Da Nang’s appeal is its luxury hospitality infrastructure. The city is home to a broad range of high-end accommodations and globally recognised brands. Dailyhunt noted that “InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Premier Village Danang Resort, Novotel Danang Premier Han River and Mercure Danang French Village Ba Na Hills, along with international brands such as Hyatt, Sheraton and Marriott which are favoured by Middle Eastern elites.”
InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort – The retreat of choice for the world’s sophisticated few.
Beyond luxury resorts, the Emirates route is expected to accelerate growth in high-end golf tourism - a rising strength in Central Vietnam. Simon Mees, General Manager of Ba Na Hills Golf Club, emphasises the impact of enhanced air connectivity. “Improved connectivity, particularly with Emirates via Dubai, elevates the profile of Central Vietnam as a golfing destination to new heights.” Mees said.
At the forefront of the city’s halal tourism strategy is Sun World Ba Na Hills, one of Da Nang’s iconic attractions. “Halal tourism, which caters to the religious and lifestyle needs of Muslim travellers, is being embraced at Sun World Ba Na Hills as a core priority,” said Nguyen Lam An, Director of Sun World Ba Na Hills. “We’ve introduced Halal-certified buffet restaurants and are working to further personalize experiences for this discerning segment.”
In addition to Halal-friendly offerings, Ba Na Hills impresses visitors with immersive performances all staged at nearly 1,500m above sea level amid European-inspired architecture. International tourists are drawn to the Golden Bridge, a breathtaking architectural masterpiece and one of Vietnam’s most iconic and celebrated landmarks. Complementing this, Da Nang Downtown has emerged as a vibrant new hub for night markets and culinary entertainment, further enriching the city’s tourism ecosystem.
Sun World Ba Na Hills – a destination known for infinite festivals.
According to Travel Weekly Asia, Emirates’ launch also represents a broader strategic pivot for Da Nang: From relying on Northeast Asian markets to tapping into emerging affluent segments in Central Asia, Europe, and the Americas. “The new route expands market diversity, reaching beyond Northeast Asia to the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas through Dubai - one of the world’s leading transit hubs,” the outlet reported.
In addition to Emirates, Kazakhstan’s national carrier Air Astana recently began operating direct flights between Almaty and Da Nang, with twice-weekly services every Wednesday and Saturday, beginning June 4.
With its rapidly expanding international connectivity, Da Nang is increasingly positioned as a top-tier global destination, boosting local economic growth and elevating the city’s international profile.
“Looking ahead, Da Nang is likely to see a surge in tourism from this region, driven by its growing reputation as a Muslim-friendly luxury destination. The city’s commitment to providing exceptional service and catering to the specific needs of Muslim travelers will ensure its continued success as a top-tier destination for global tourists. As the Middle Eastern market continues to expand, Da Nang is well-positioned to capitalise on this opportunity, offering a world-class experience for visitors seeking both relaxation and cultural exploration.” TTW concluded./.
Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh has signed a decision to establish the Da Nang Free Trade Zone (FTZ), which will be connected to main infrastructure facilities, opening up new development opportunities for the central coastal city.
This summer marks significant changes in the travel habits of Vietnamese holidaymakers as they tend to seek experiences enjoying nature, culture and relaxation rather than crush to check-in as many destinations as possible like previously.
On June 2, the Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in partnership with Emirates Airline, Danang International Terminal Investment and Operation JSC (AHT), and Sun Group, hosted a welcoming ceremony for the inaugural flight, EK370, from Dubai to Da Nang (transiting in Bangkok).
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PM Chinh lauded the press’s historic role in the nation’s fight for independence and its ongoing process of national development, affirming that the Government always highly appreciates the close partnership and steadfast support of press agencies and journalists nationwide.
In recent decades, Vietnam’s mainstream media has become a reliable and persuasive channel for showcasing the nation’s development policies and achievements, especially in economic matters, according to a senior assistant editor at the Times of India.
A hub for sharing best practices, the event aims to forge solutions for financial sustainability, public media contracts, audience engagement, content innovation, and newsroom restructuring. It is also a moment for Vietnam’s media to accelerate its progress and figure out what the “revolutionary press” means in a new era.
From “Thanh nien”, Vietnam’s first revolutionary newspaper founded by Nguyen Ai Quoc (later President Ho Chi Minh) on June 21, 1925, the revolutionary press has remained devoted to its sacred missions -accompanying the nation, serving the Fatherland, and working for the people.
Bernama CEO Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin said VNA has been a consistent and reliable partner in OANA, contributing actively to the regional media landscape through content sharing, coordination, and policy discussions. Their coverage of ASEAN and Indochina issues adds valuable perspectives. Bernama appreciates the collaboration with VNA.
In this era of global integration and digitalisation, the press must adopt modern multimedia models to not only meet increasing information and communication demands but also align with the broader socio-economic development of the country.
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Running until June 21, the festival brings together more than 80 central and local media organisations, featuring nearly 130 exhibition booths that cover the full spectrum of national life, encompassing economy, politics, culture, society, defence, security, and foreign affairs.
As of June 17, Ca Mau province had achieved its target of supporting the construction and renovation of 4,400 homes, with a total budget of over 235 billion VND (about 9 million USD).
Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists’ Association (VJA) Le Quoc Minh has called for technology to be leveraged not to replace identity, but to enhance it—allowing Vietnamese journalism to reach both local and global audiences.
In recent years, with strong support from the Party and State, and building on its tradition as a heroic news agency, the VNA has not only actively participated in OANA but also proactively proposed various ideas for cooperation, helping shape a fresh image of effective media collaboration in the digital era, said VNA General Director Vu Viet Trang.
The education sector has been one of the foundations playing a vital role in deepening Vietnam – New Zealand ties, said Prof. Damon Salesa, Vice-Chancellor of the Auckland University of Technology (AUT).
