From the experience of participating in the general planning of Da Nang since the plan was approved by the Prime Minister in 2013 and in 2021, and with expectations, I raised the question: What will Da Nang in 2050 be like?

A coastal corner of Da Nang. Photo: LE HUY

With regard to the urban space of rivers, mountains, sea and islands, the area on both sides of the Han River will become a waterway route of culture, art, and commercial services, a lively area where conservation works will be concentrated such as history, painting, marine museums, opera houses, performing arts centres and theme parks.

The area on both sides of Cam Le and Do Toa rivers will form large green spaces riverside combined with public works, not only serving the residential community, but also an attractive river tourism area.

The area of the Marble Mountains scenic area and the surrounding green space will feature preserved landscape and developed cultural, landscape and spiritual space.

The coastal area will be remodeled so that not only the coastal area, but also the deeper inland area, have cool breezes and open views to the sea, every 400-800m there is a public sea exit or connection to boulevards parallel and perpendicular to the coast, opening up development opportunities for areas a few kilometers from the coast that can also become busy areas.

In terms of urban socio-economic space, people not only live and work limitedly in the city’s  inner space of as before, but can have a daily life in the much larger urban space, thanks to an efficient and convenient road and rail public transport system.

For example, living in Da Nang but can choose to go to work every day anywhere in the area between the three cities of Hue - Da Nang - Tam Ky, or vice versa, living outside Da Nang but often go to Da Nang for work exchange affairs.

All three cities have comprehensive development in all fields, but will select a few selected areas in each locality to focus resources, raise the importance of national and international level, bring about unique identity for each region.

Da Nang can promote its leading national and international strengths in finance, economy, construction, and high technology, while Hue can promote its leading strengths in culture, art and education, and Tam Ky - Chu Lai brings into play its leading advantages in industry and agriculture.

As for the central area, Da Nang should preserve and embellish the historic centre of Dien Hai Citadel and the vicinity to the west of the Han River, while developing a new downtown area, which is also a financial and economic centre.

The second largest high-rise building in the country will take the shape in An Don and surrounding areas, with cultural and commercial service spaces and highlight public works located along both sides of a large chain of continuous green spaces, serving the same time for millions of people, connecting Han River Square with East Sea Square at both ends.

Modern urban development of Da Nang. Photo: LE HUY TUAN

As for international integration, the city is highly recommended to form a number of international neighborhoods, such as the Asian Quarter, including the Korean Quarter and the Japanese Quarter located in the airport urban area, the North American Quarter is positioned in the new high-rise downtown area. The French Quarter and the European Quarter is near the Han River...

A part of the Da Nang Financial Centre neighborhood will form a sleepless 24-hour living quarter, connecting network information with major financial centres around the world.

Basic communication English is taught free of charge to everyone, helping to popularise English as the second most important language in the whole city, helping foreigners who know English easily communicate with local inhabitants anywhere and anytime.

Important billboards, major media channels in the city may be supplemented with English versions and some other popular foreign languages.

In terms of transportation, residents and tourists can choose to travel around the city by public transport, or by car, electric scooter, and bicycle. The street space is pedestrian-friendly, clean, and free of noise or pollution, thanks to the conversion to smart transport with clean energy.

What’s about the airport urban area? Da Nang can lead nationally in the formation of public spaces and commercial services connecting the air passenger terminal area at the city’s airport with the surrounding central area.

The airport’s terminal area is no longer just a transit place before entering and exiting urban areas in the city, but is located within walking distance to neighbouring busy centres. People who are short on time, coming from all over the country or even abroad, can rent a hotel room within walking distance of the airport terminal, to meet up with business people, friends or relatives to for exchanges and get-togethers. After that, some can walk to the airport to continue their flights to other places whilst others walk to the metro station to Hue or Tam Ky or travel to Ha Noi by sea.

The Da Nang airport will have direct high-speed rail connection with its counterparts in Phu Bai and Chu Lai, making it easy to switch and forward flight routes for convenience for people traveling at all times and may transition to a nearby airport when the weather conditions change to extremes locally at the local airport.

In terms of educational infrastructure, all preschools and high schools in the whole city are reorganised by area, so that parents do not need to bother picking up and dropping off their children every day, because most students can walk from home to school in a maximum of 30 minutes, while those who live further afield can be picked up by the school bus.

The city formed the Da Nang multidisciplinary university city, together with counterparts in the neighbouring provinces of Hue and Quang Nam to create the Central National University system, in which students are free to by taking credits at schools in this system to complete their specialised university programmes, with the diplomas of equivalent value recognised in the world's leading powers.

Perhaps, the city should also organize writing contests for people of all ages and professions, telling them what they dream of what the city will have in the future, for themselves and the next generations, to orient together for the future.

Reporting by NGO VIET NAM SON - Translating by A.THU