At present, the needs of tourists are not only to visit but also to experience local products and services as well as learn about local culture. Therefore, Da Nang should promote the development of the night-time economy, contributing to the central city’s socio-economic development and raising the position of Da Nang tourism in the regional and world map.

The overview of the Asia Park at night

Mr. Nguyen Tien Dat, Director of the AZA travel agency, spoke to Da Nang Newspaper about the potential and solutions for developing the night-time economy in the city.

According to Director Dat, currently, aside from Da Nang, other localities are promoting the development of the nighttime economy. Typically, Ha Noi has opened up to 4 pedestrian areas and streets, in which pedestrian streets around the Hoan Kiem Lake and in the Old Quarter are attractive to visitors, especially on weekends.

Other tourist hubs such as Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Hue and Ha Long have developed pedestrian streets and night markets.

In Da Nang, there are Helio, Son Tra and Thanh Khe Tay night markets which partly meet the needs of eating and drinking at night of young people and tourists. However, these markets are still relatively fragmented, mainly focusing on culinary activities and popular shopping.

To boost the development of Da Nang's nighttime economy in the coming time, Mr. Dat suggests the city develop more high-class nighttime entertainment services and tourism products apart from walking streets and night markets.

Specifically, sightseeing boat tours on the iconic Han River should be upgraded in the quality of both tourist boats and services in order to make them more attractive to visitors. Notably, water safety for tourists should be ensured.

Additionally, the weekend shows of fire breathing and water squirting at the eastern end of the Rong (Dragon) Bridge should consider increasing the frequency of performances in peak months or changing the schedule to Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays instead of Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays as present to lure more tourists.

He stresses the necessity for Da Nang to increase night-time cultural and art activities, and night light shows with a focus on demarcating a ‘noisy and vibrant’ area for young people and a quieter area for tourists to chat and relax on the romantic My An beach.

The Asia Park can now be considered as one of the attractive nighttime entertainment centres in the city. With a large, airy and separate space, the venue should enhance the organisation of nighttime arts activities such as street music and magic programmes, carnival parade, music shows, DJ performances, and food festival of Asian countries.

Mr. Dat proposes Da Nang to invest in large-scale shows with local characteristics similar to the ‘Hoi An Memories’ show, or ‘Tong Thanh’ in Hangzhou and ‘Tiffany’ in Thailand.

He underlines a must-do for the city to develop high-class commercial centres in which specialty products of Da Nang, other localities nationwide, and foreign countries will be on sale in a bid to satisfy the shopping needs of high-income consumers.

In order to create large-scale entertainment areas, Da Nang needs to issue mechanisms and policies to support businesses and investors. Included are premise rental fee reduction, tax incentives and other costs.

He highlights that the successful development of Da Nang's nighttime economy will not only contribute to economic growth, enhance the position of Da Nang tourism in the regional and world map, but also be a good model for many other tourist centres across the country to follow.

“I believe that one day not far away, many domestic and international tourists will want to return to visit Da Nang many times not only because of its beautiful beaches and new tourism projects but also because of its attractive night-time economic activities” he expresses his hope.

Reporting by NGUYEN TIEN DAT - Translating by M.DUNG