The Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism believe that the foreign tourist markets of South Korea, China and Russia offer the greatest potential for tourism in the city.  Between January and September, the city welcomed more than 102,000 visitors from China, about 40,000 from South Korea, and over 4,300 from Russia. 

In recent years, the city has only seen a slight increase in the number of tourist arrivals from South Korea and Russia, whilst those from China have risen dramatically.  In particular, there has been a significant increase in the number of Chinese cruise ship passengers.  Also, the opening of new direct flight routes between Da Nang and China’s provinces has helped to bring more tourists to the city.

Assisting foreign visitors in the city

However, the city’s tourism sector now has many shortcomings in the quality of customer services.  They include a shortage of international-standard tourist coaches, public toilets, tour guides, and shopping malls.

Among these, the shortage of tour guides who can speak foreign languages fluently is one of the most urgent problems.

Currently, there are more than 1,200 tour guides in the city, including 741 who can speak foreign languages fluently.  However, in the peak tourism season, local travel companies have to hire tour guides from other localities, which adds to the cost of the tour. 

In addition to the above, it is difficult for local travel agencies to fully tap their potential tourist markets due to the uncontrolled extensive operation of foreign travel agencies.  These foreign companies offer tours at high prices, and this creates a negative image of the city.

The Director of the department, Mr Ngo Quang Vinh, emphasised the vital roles that the close relationship between local authorities and businesses, and the city’s sustainable and long-term tourism development strategy, have played in attracting more foreign visitors to the city.