As Danang enters the preparation period for a new tourism season, the city continues to receive promising signals from international markets as it is honored by AFAR – a leading travel magazine in the United States – as one of the outstanding destinations worldwide for 2026.
According to AFAR’s assessment, Danang is “a rapidly rising coastal city in Southeast Asia,” where natural beauty, cultural depth, architectural heritage, and modern urban life converge — creating a unique appeal for global travelers. The magazine particularly highlights several key strengths:
Nature and ecosystems: sea, mountains, and forests in one place
Danang is one of the rare destinations in Vietnam where long sandy beaches meet mountains and coastal forests. The extensive shoreline resembles an “Asian Miami Beach,” ideal for swimming, surfing, and relaxation.
Located just outside the city center is the Marble Mountains complex — five limestone peaks with caves, temples, and distinctive natural landscapes.
Toward the Son Tra Peninsula, thousands of acres of pristine coastal forest serve as a “green lung,” home to rare wildlife species. Thus, Danang is not only a seaside city but also a land of diverse nature, suitable for both resort vacations and ecological exploration.
International connectivity and tourism access
The year 2025 marks a turning point for Danang, as five airlines — including major international carriers such as Emirates and Philippine Airlines — launched new routes connecting the city with Bangkok, Manila, and other key destinations in Asia.
As a result, Danang is no longer merely a local stopover but has become an international gateway, allowing travelers from around the world easier access. This improved connectivity enhances Danang’s competitiveness in the global tourism landscape — a factor AFAR greatly values when naming the city among the top destinations for 2026.
High-end resort investments – a new milestone in tourism development
Image source: Official website of the Nobu project
Another reason AFAR believes in Danang’s potential is the strong investment flow from luxury hospitality brands. In 2026, the city is expected to welcome the debut of a 200-room Nobu hotel along the beachfront, together with 22 luxury villas by Mandarin Oriental. These projects demonstrate Danang’s readiness for modern, world-class tourism development aimed at international visitors — ushering in a new phase for the city’s tourism industry.
Cultural connections and Central Vietnam heritage tourism
Beyond its beaches and forests, Danang plays an important role as a gateway for visitors to explore Central Vietnam’s cultural heritage, especially the Hoi An Ancient Quarter — a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.
With only about 40 minutes of travel from central Danang, visitors can reach Hoi An, known for its fusion of Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and European architecture, ancient houses, assembly halls, temples, and the iconic lantern-lit evenings along the Hoai River. The seamless connection between coastal city, nature, and cultural heritage enriches the traveler’s journey through Central Vietnam.
A diverse accommodation ecosystem – from pristine forests to wellness resorts
Danang is developing a highly diverse hospitality ecosystem: from luxury resorts nestled in forested hillsides such as InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort — where guests can immerse themselves in nature while enjoying refined cuisine — to beachfront wellness resorts like Tia Wellness Resort offering spa therapies, yoga, private villas, and relaxation-focused experiences. This diversity shows that Danang is no longer simply a beach destination, but a modern, flexible tourism city capable of meeting many different visitor needs.
The special significance of being chosen by a U.S. travel magazine: insights from a strategic market
Being included in AFAR’s list of the top 24 destinations for 2026 carries meaning far beyond a standard ranking. For many years, the United States has been one of Danang’s most steadily growing international markets, alongside South Korea, Japan, and Europe. American travelers typically have long stays, high spending, and a strong interest in beach resorts, cultural and culinary experiences, golf, wellness, and multi-destination itineraries linking Hoi An – Hue – My Son.
Therefore, the recognition from a U.S. magazine helps reinforce confidence in the American market, as recommendations from reputable U.S. sources strongly influence the travel decisions of a visitor segment that values expert reviews before long-distance trips. Beyond market significance, AFAR’s list receives strong media traction, frequently cited by U.S. and European outlets, thereby helping Danang appear more prominently in international media at a time when the city is expanding its air network and positioning itself as the “tourism hub of Central Vietnam.”
This recognition also indicates that Danang meets international standards for safety, infrastructure, services, experiences, and cultural value — key considerations for Western travelers in choosing a destination.
Danang – Ready for a breakthrough year in 2026
Being featured in AFAR’s list of the top 24 destinations for 2026 serves as a valuable “launchpad,” helping reinforce Danang’s position on the global tourism map and opening opportunities for strong growth in the coming year. This is not only an affirmation of the destination’s appeal but also motivation for Danang to continue innovating its tourism products, improving service quality, and strengthening partnerships and promotion in global markets.
With its current momentum and international recognition, Danang stands on a solid foundation to enter 2026 as a leading destination, ready to create new milestones on its journey to win the hearts of travelers across the world.
DANANG TOURISM PROMOTION CENTER
