The second session of the 2021 Asia Pacific Cities Summit is taking place virtually and it features discussions on different topics. A New Era of Sustainable Tourism was highlighted at the virtual event on Wednesday, October 27.

Da Nang People’'s Committee Vice Chairman Tran Phuoc Son attends the virtual event. Photo: HOANG HIEP

Da Nang People's Committee Vice Chairman Tran Phuoc Son joined the online meeting. In his remarked at the virtual event on Wednesday, Mr Son said that Da Nang boasts many advantages as it becomes a gateway linking world heritage sites in Central Viet Nam, and it has developed modern and synchronous infrastructure. In addition, Da Nang International Airport is the gateway to financial, commercial and tourism centers in the Asia-Pacific region.

Da Nang also boasts a long and beautiful coastline with many inviting and alluring tourist places such as the Cau Vang or ‘Golden Bridge’ on Ba Na Hills , Dragon Bridge, Marble Mountains, the Museum of Cham Sculpture, Sun World Ba Na Hills tourist area.

By late 2013, the first 33 cities around the world had been selected to join 100RC, and Da Nang was amongst them - the only city in Viet Nam to be chosen for the network at that time. Initiated by the US Rockefeller Foundation in 2013, the 100RC programme is dedicated to helping cities worldwide to adopt and incorporate a resilient mindset in their planning, development, and community-building so that they are better prepared for, and can quickly rebound from 21st century shocks and stresses.

Tourism has been chosen as one of the five strategic breakthroughs for Da Nang’s socio-economic development. The city has aslo developed its sustainable tourism policy with a focus on promoting spatial development of tourism based on the urban structure, and creating land-use planning for tourism development to harmonize with other economic sectors and ensure the preservation of natural resources and landscapes.

Leaders of Asia Pacific Cities participate in online discussions A New Era of Sustainable Tourism. Photo: THU HA

Da Nang is increasing the use of smart technologies in tourism activities. The heed is paid on creating a smart tourism ecosystem, developing tourism infrastructure in line with technical specifications, preserving the city's historical and cultural values and natural landscapes, facilitating businesses and local residents to directly participate in tourism activities and enjoy benefits from this sector, as well as making the city a civilized and friendly destination for domestic and foreign tourists.

Da Nang has also developed typical inter-regional tourism products, promoted its strengths and made the best of local tourism resources, developed policies to promote green tourism and boost its international integration.

Vice Chairman Son said that Da Nang is looking forward to learning from the experiences of the event’s participants to help it build sustainable tourism destination and develop responsible tourism.

Da Nang is committed to implement the sustainable development goals set at the virtual event in order to accelerate green growth as the driver for sustainable economic development, including industry sector, in parallel with preserving natural resources and social values, Mr Son affirmed.

Reporting by HOANG HIEP – THU HA – Translating by H.L