Entering a new development phase, the Da Nang coastal urban areas need to increase their competitiveness, raise their position on the international map, and become a convergence place for quality global citizens and a top venue for hosting international and regional-scale events.

Da Nang is strongly developing urban infrastructure, and investing in new urban areas with architectural styles that blends with nature. IN PHOTO: High-class resort real estate projects have been developed in the coastal urban area of My An Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District. Photo: NAM PHUONG

The 21^st century is the century of sea and oceans combined with science, technology and innovation. According to that trend, the marine economy is a special competitive strategy of maritime nations.

Countries that are strong from the sea such as China, the UK, Spain, Italy and Singapore have successfully built marine urban models. Most of the major powers in the world have a coastal urban area as an economic centre next to the capital as an administrative centre.

Da Nang boasts potential for competing in the international arena

The Da Nang coastal urban is rich in internal resources to compete globally. First of all, the central city of Da Nang is currently in the development group of Viet Nam with repaid economic growth. The city’s average GRDP growth rate in the 1997-2021 period reached nearly 9%/year. GRDP per capita in 2021 was US$3,753, 15 times higher than that in 1997, and about 1.7 times higher than that of the whole country.  

The average annual growth rate of total tourism revenue is 25%. The city welcomed 649,106 visitors in 2004 and 8.96 million in 2019. Besides, the urban appearance of Da Nang has changed in the direction of civilisation and modernity. Its urban space was expanded more than 4 times compared to 1997.

Till date, Da Nang has owned a system of 5-star hotels such as InterContinental Danang, Vinpearl, Pullman, BRG, and Furama Resort. Notably, Da Nang is proud of the world's leading beautiful and attractive landscapes. That attraction is created from a harmonious combination of conservation and development, with the participation of large private enterprises in creating tourist spots.

In addition, the city is famous for the dynamic, open and transparent investment environment. It always takes the lead in the country in the provincial competitiveness index, administrative reform index, information technology application index, smart city construction and digital transformation.

What should Da Nang do to be more attractive?

Da Nang has risen to fame as a safe, friendly and inviting tourist destination on the tourist map of the region and the world. However, it has yet to be a convergence place for global quality citizens. The main reason is thought to be that Da Nang does not have enough hard and soft infrastructure to fully meet the living needs of middle and upper-class people.

To compete with famous coastal cities in the world, what should Da Nang do?

Firstly, aside from ground space, Da Nang should exploit the marine space and balance the inner - suburban spaces.

Secondly, Da Nang needs to strongly develop urban infrastructure, especially investing in large-scale urban areas in harmony with nature.

Besides, Da Nang is developing software and high-tech parks that bring economic value such as the Software Parks No. 1 and No. 2, the FPT Complex and the Dedicated Information Technology Park. Therefore, it is necessary for the city to have systematic and coherent plans between urban areas and industrial zones.

Thirdly, Da Nang should focus on attracting high-class tourists, gradually forming yacht and golf clubs, and hosting many regional and international-scale festivals and events. It is necessary to simplify procedures to bring more yachts to Da Nang.

Fourthly, Da Nang needs to continue to be a smarter city. It can learn from Singapore's experience in perfecting smart urban and e-government.

Finally, it is necessary for the city to establish the position and promote the value of the real estate market in Da Nang, build the real estate market in depth, closely follow the planning, improve the quality, and have many high-class projects. The city's real estate value will be increasingly promoted along with the breakthrough of the coastal city of Da Nang.

In addition, Da Nang should aim to become a hub for startups, testing new technologies, and a software industry development. It needs to pioneer in Viet Nam's digital economy development strategy to attract a large number of digital citizens to live.

Reporting by Nguyen Manh Ha, former Director of Housing and Real Estate Market Management Agency under the Ministry of Construction -Translating by M.DUNG