On September 13, 2024, the Da Nang Department of Tourism (DDT), in collaboration with the Management Board of the Da Nang Hi-Tech Park and Industrial Zones Authority (DHPIZA), organized the Da Nang Investment and Tourism Promotion Conference in Sydney, Australia. The event was graced by the presence of key figures such as H.E.Mr. Nguyen Dang Thang – Consul General of the Consulate General of S.R.Vietnam in Sydney; Mr. Tran Phuoc Son – Permanent Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Council, and Councillor Robert Kok – Deputy Lord Mayor of Sydney. Their presence underscored the significance of the event, which was attended by over 50 representatives from airlines, investors, tourism businesses, service companies, and media outlets in Sydney.
The conference’s primary objective was to spotlight Da Nang as a prime investment destination, elucidating its strategic location, investment environment, critical projects for investment, and tourism potential to corporations, airlines, and tourism businesses in Sydney.
In his inaugural address, Mr. Tran Phuoc Son emphasized Da Nang’s aspirations to become one of the critical socio-economic hubs of Vietnam and Southeast Asia by 2030, with a vision for 2045. He underscored the passage of a resolution by the National Assembly of Vietnam in July 2024 to implement an urban government model and pilot specific mechanisms and policies to foster the development of Da Nang. These policies encompass priorities in investment management, urban planning, resource management, and attracting strategic investors in semiconductor development, artificial intelligence, and science and technology. Furthermore, Da Nang was granted permission for the first time to pilot the establishment of a Free Trade Zone.
To realize these ambitious objectives, Da Nang is focused on encouraging foreign direct investment (FDI), mainly from Australia, which aligns with the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
Da Nang has forged cooperative ties with three Australian localities: Queensland, South Australia, and Gold Coast. In the initial eight months of 2024, the city welcomed 71,445 Australian visitors, constituting nearly 2.4% of the total international arrivals in Da Nang. On the investment front, Da Nang has 29 Australian FDI projects with a total investment of USD 13.9 million, and 15 businesses have trade relations with Australia.
Building upon this foundation, Mr. Tran Phuoc Son expressed optimism for heightened Australian business interest in investing, conducting trade, and residing in Da Nang. He reaffirmed the city’s commitment to creating a welcoming and conducive environment for Australian businesses to execute successful investment projects in Da Nang.
Da Nang is not just a city, but a frontrunner in Vietnam regarding Information Technology Readiness (Vietnam ICT Index) and Administrative Reform Index (PAR Index), ensuring a transparent, dynamic, and efficient investment environment for international investors.
Mr. Nguyen Cong Tien, Deputy Head of the Management Board of DHPIZA, outlined the city’s endeavors to promote investment, particularly the eco-urban model of the Hi-Tech Park, established by the Prime Minister in 2010. He highlighted the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Australia, emphasizing how it would motivate Australian businesses to explore new potential markets such as Da Nang.
The conference also featured striking promotional videos of Central Vietnam, with Da Nang as the gateway to world heritage sites and a noteworthy fresh destination for international tourists. Ms. Truong Thi Hong Hanh, Director of the Da Nang Department of Tourism, introduced the “Amazing Central Vietnam Heritage” journey, which encompasses the former capital of Hue, the vibrant international destination of Da Nang, and the cultural heritage of Quang Nam.
In the initial seven months of 2024, Central Vietnam received nearly 180,000 Australian visitors, constituting 64% of the total Australian arrivals in Vietnam, surpassing pre-pandemic tourism records from 2019.
During the conference, tourism promotion agencies from Central Vietnam signed a collaboration agreement with the Western Sydney Tourism Association. This agreement is focused on information exchange, joint tourism promotion efforts, and facilitating business cooperation between Central Vietnam and New South Wales. It is expected to significantly boost tourism between the two regions.
Ms. Fazila Farhad, Chairwoman of the Western Sydney Tourism Association, underscored the significance of this partnership, particularly in light of the development of direct flight routes between the two countries.
The event also included a networking session between tourism businesses from Da Nang, Quang Nam, and Thua Thien Hue and their counterparts in Sydney, enabling discussions on business opportunities and investment potential.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, international outbound travel from Australia reached 17.82 million in 2023, with Vietnam ranking 12th as a destination for Australian tourists. In the first seven months of 2024, more than 281,000 Australians visited Vietnam, an 18% increase over the previous year.
DANANG CENTER FOR TOURISM PROMOTION
