At this time, along with ongoing Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF 2023), street art activities in the centre city are also contributing to creating highlights, attracting the great attention of both city dwellers, and tourists at both home and abroad.

The return of street festivals has marked a positive change in attracting domestic and foreign tourists to Da Nang. Photo: C.T

At many tourist sites, a series of events, art shows, exhibitions have been held to stimulate demand and restore the tourism industry after a long interruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since June, 2023, many cultural and entertainment activities and events have taken place at local tourist attractions.

Specifically, a street music programme near the western end of the Dragon Bridge at 7:30 p.m to 9:00p.m on June 3 and June 23, a street magic show at the same location from 7.30p.m to 9:30 p.m on June 3, June 17 and July 1, the performance of ethnic music and ‘bai choi’ at a park on the eastern end of the Rong (Dragon) Bridge on Saturday and Sunday evenings in June and July, street dance near the eastern end of the Dragon Bridge at 7:00p.m; music festival Da Nang Electronic Carnival at the East Sea Park on July 7, the competition ‘Chill with DIFF 2023’.

Nguyen Thi Hoang , a tourist from the capital city of Ha Noi said, coming to Da Nang this time, she was immersed in special activities such as DIFF 2023, festivals taking place at the beach and on the street.

“It has been a long time since I felt the excitement from the festive atmosphere like this. Street shows have attractive Asian and European influences, and diverse street food makes me want to come back to Da Nang again,” Ms. Hoang said.

Mr. Pham Duy Hung, the General Director of Shjmily Trading and Travel Services Joint Stock Company, in Tho Quang Ward, Son Tra District said that after a few years of ‘quiet’ tourism due to the COVID-19, tourists, especially international visitors, have returned to Da Nang.

Since April, the number of domestic and foreign visitors has increased sharply, creating conditions for his company to achieve huge sales of 150 - 200% as compared to the same period last year.

“The city-exerted efforts to attract tourists have helped drive the increase in visitor arrival numbers, therefor creating conditions for tourism businesses and travel-related services like us to recover after a long period of being affected by the pandemic.”, Hung said.

A special feature of this year's street festivals is the introduction and promotion of the country's image through modern cuisine and music, along with annual art, photo and entertainment exhibitions to create new products, hereby increasing the attraction for the Da Nang tourism.

Mr. Ngo Van Bay, Director of the Da Nang Center for Culture and Cinema, said that events like these not only enrich the festival colours in Da Nang, but also contribute to the recovery of the service market, tourism and commerce.

At the same time, these activities have brought unique and attractive experiences to domestic and foreign tourists, gradually affirming the worthy position of becoming an ‘the City of Events’ with the target of becoming a destination where the leading events and festivals of the continental stature are organised. 

In the summer 2023 tourist season, the city  is organising many events and street festivals such as the Da Nang Electronic Carnival 2023 taking place on the evening of July 7 at the East Sea Park with information message "Light up the world without distance".

This will also be an outstanding event that contributes to honouring the diversity not only in origin and language but also in passion, fully enjoying modern sounds and lighting. There is also a street dance show held every month.

According to the Da Nang Department of Tourism, by the end of the year, the city will work with Sun Group to organise a series of exciting festivals and events in the programme ‘WOW Da Nang to honour the attractive destination, promote promote local tourism to the world, thereby contributing to affirming that Da Nang is the leading event and festival destination in the region that tourists should not miss this summer.

Reporting by CHIEN THANG - Translating by A.THU