Yesterday’s seminar on Da Nang’s socio-economic development strategies by 2035 attracted a large number of domestic and foreign experts from the Central Region Development Consultancy Council. The participants contributed their constructive ideas for the sake of the city’s progress.

Da Nang is aiming to become a modern, smart, livable, global city boasting distinctive cultural identity (Photo: DNO/ Dang No)

In his report on the city’s development strategies, the Head of the Central Region Development Consultancy Council, Mr Tran Du Lich, remarked that Da Nang is aiming to become a modern, smart, livable, global city boasting distinctive cultural identity. 

In particular, the city is striving to develop it into a hub for logistics, international marine tourism, innovations and starts-up.

Alongside, importance will be attached to ensuring the socio-economic growth in combination with maintaining environmental protection, distinctive cultural identity and civilised urban lifestyle. 

In his point of view, former Minister of Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh underlined the significance of fully tapping the economically lucrative potential of urban land resources. 

For instance, it is a good idea to build a seaside road with the intention of facilitating locals and visitors to cycle bikes, as well as to take leisurely strolls to enjoy the fresh air there, or to explore the beauty of beaches, and this, in turn, will help to create a dynamic area featuring service activities in the city centre.

Many participating experts also fully concurred with the top priority given to promoting the development of tourism, hi-tech, IT and logistics. 

Alongside, heed should be paid to boosting win-win tourism cooperation programmes with neighbouring Thua Thien- Hue Province and Quang Nam Province’s Hoi An City.

Architect Ngo Viet Nam Son, the Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City-based Ngo Viet Design Consultants Company remarked that, if Da Nang is aiming to become a global city in the future, it should take the initiative to ensure closer links with localities nationwide and worldwide. In particular, an emphasis should be placed on developing the city into a logistics hub, and facilitating the opening of more railway, airway, or waterway routes connecting Da Nang with other destinations worldwide.

To date, neither ring roads nor an aviation logistics area around the Da Nang International Airport have been built. As for its future expansion of the airport, the airport’s future image should be similar to either the Singapore Changi Airport or the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in the Netherlands.

Mr Kenneth Atkinson, the Executive chairman of Grant Thornton Vietnam said Da Nang are very attractive to domestic visitors and foreign travellers from North America, Europe and Asia. In his remarks, this expert recommended that the city should set up more international universities and enhance the quality of healthcare services.

Director of the Viet Nam Institute of Economics Tran Dinh Thien said it is a high time for the city to make the best use of the great advantages of technologies and human resources, instead of relying too much on land resources which have been occupied so much for the purpose of urban development.

In his closing speech, municipal People’s Committee Chairman Huynh Duc Tho highlighted his city’s great development potentials in comparison with other central regional localities.

Municipal People’s Committee Chairman Huynh Duc Tho said a large amount of land has been use effectively for the socio-economic development

Interestingly, the city leader noted that, given effective measures, the popular destinations of Hue and Hoi An are expected to bring great benefits to Da Nang in terms of tourism.

The municipal government leader also re-affirmed the city’s firm stance on considering only IT and hi-tech are its pillar industries. Any constructive opinions about turning Da Nang into an IT hub are always welcome.