Da Nang has produced fruitful results in international affairs over the past 5 years, thereby helping the city boost international cooperation and integration, attracting FDI inflows, and raising its position and reputation in the international arena.

A meeting to prepare for the 36th ASEAN Summit in March 2020

Da Nang has hosted numerous investment promotion events at both home and overseas. Included are the 'Talk of Spring' in 2018 and 2019; the annual International East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) Trade and Tourism Fair; talk shows on boosting the economic and trade cooperation with the USA in 2018, and with China’s Shandong Province and Thailand both in 2019; and meetings with group of businesspeople of around 100 companies from Japan’s Kansai Economic Federation last year.

Last year, Da Nang leaders attended the ‘Da Nang Business Roundtable’ seminar in Silicon Valley, the USA, in order to introduce Da Nang’s investment environment to the US investors, and a seminar in Japan’s Fukuoka City to attract investment from the Kyushu economic zone into the city.

Till date, Da Nang has attracted 846 FDI projects, worth 3.474 billion USD, from around 40 countries and territories worldwide. 

Between 2015 and 2020, the Da Nang government has successfully sought aid from foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs), with a total committed funding of over 558.7 billion VND.

Many projects have benefited the poor and the disadvantaged across the city. Included are the 78.2 billion VND international-standard OneSky care centre and kindergarten for local disadvantaged children and those of workers at the Hoa Khanh Industrial Park, and IT training courses for young people in difficult circumstances at a total cost of more than 30.6 billion VND.

Da Nang People's Committee Chairman Huynh Duc Tho (right) hosting a reception for Mayor of Pittsburgh City William Mark Peduto in the city in March 2019

Also, the implementation of people-to-people diplomatic exchanges between Da Nang and foreign localities has helped to increase the spirit of solidarity with foreigners worldwide.

Every year, the city welcomes around 600 delegations of international guests from many foreign countries and organisations.

To date, Da Nang has established friendship and cooperation ties with 44 localities from 20 countries and territories worldwide. In addition, 94 bilateral cooperation agreements in total are currently valid.

Also, the city has entered into cooperative agreements with many international organisations, corporations, and associations which have played active roles in various international multilateral forums.

Most notably, Da Nang has affirmed its position and vital role in the cooperation with localities along the East-West Economic Corridor and ASEAN member nations; as well as members of the Regional Network of Local Authorities for the Management of Human Settlements (CITYNET), the Asian Urban Information Centre of Kobe (AUICK) and the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN).

In addition, the focus has been on hosting many regional and international-level conferences and seminars. Notable amongst them are the 2017 APEC Economic Leaders' Week, the annual Da Nang International Fireworks Festival, the Da Nang International Marathon, the Clipper 2015-2016 Round the World Yacht Race, and the 5^th Asian Beach Games (ABG 5).

All aforementioned positive results have helped Da Nang to take maximum advantage of support from international organisations to promote the city’s sustainable development, and raise its reputation and role in the international arena.

By LAM PHUONG - Translated by M.D