Da Nang is gradually becoming an attractive destination for the super-rich and celebrities all over the world. This is an opportunity for this beautiful coastal central Vietnamese city to exploit its potential and economic benefits; and at the same time, it also poses a tough task for functional sectors about how to form an ecosystem, luxury and super luxury tourism products in the coming time.

Indian billionaire couple held their wedding ceremony at the Sheraton Grand Da Nang Resort and Convention Center. Photo: NGOC HA

In 2024, the city was chosen to host 45 wedding parties in the form of wedding tourism of overseas Vietnamese brides and grooms, couples from India, Australia, Japan, Taiwan (China), Singapore, the United States.

In particular, there are four large weddings of Indian couples with a total of 1,200 guests. U.S Billionaire Bill Gates spent four days in Da Nang, playing tennis and staying in a secluded resort on the Son Tra Peninsula; the Indian billionaire brought 4,500 employees to Viet Nam for a trip and he himself had experiences with his family in Da Nang.

Also in the past year, Da Nang welcomed 45 cruise ship arrivals with a total of 41,000 visitors, an increase of 122% compared to 2023.

In 2025, it is expected that there will be 76 cruise ship arrivals in Da Nang with more than 70,000 visitors. Cruise tourists are mainly from Europe, the United States and China. This is a positive signal and the basis for the city to form an ecosystem serving high-end and super luxury customers.

According to Mr. Kenny Lee, the Director of Sales and Marketing of the Sheraton Grand Danang Resort & Convention Center, the super-rich from the United States and India often choose travel destinations based on exclusivity, unique experiences and cultural authenticity. They look for luxury establishments that offer personalized services, such as private villas, on-demand culinary options and tailor-made wellness treatments.

For example, when a billionaire couple was getting married in early 2024, the Sheraton Grand Danang Resort strived to satisfied  the most demanding guests by offering lavish event spaces with stunning views, customisable wedding packages, and immersive local cultural experiences.

The resort’s focus on privacy, exceptional service, and high-end accommodations ensures that every detail is meticulously prepared as well as creates an unforgettable celebration that reflects the status and preferences of its guests.

Therefore, in a bid to attract ultra-wealthy travellers to Da Nang, Mr. Kenny Lee underlined a need to focus on luxury infrastructure, unique experiences, and personalized services.

For example, it is a good idea to develop exclusive beachfront villas with private pools and dedicated staff in order to provide the high level of comfort that these travelers expect; enhance the travel experience through private yacht connections to nearby islands or launch helicopter tours; offer customized cultural experiences (private tours to historical sites or cooking classes taught by renowned local chefs) to help visitors immerse themselves into the city’s heritage; and offer world-class wellness amenities such as holistic spas with traditional Vietnamese treatments.

“Targeted marketing campaigns involving the participation of luxury lifestyle influencers are also a way to position Da Nang as a top destination for affluent travellers who want to relax and have unique experiences,” said Kenny Lee.

Cruise ship passengers arrived in Da Nang in early 2025. Photo: NGOC HA

Cao Tri Dung, the Chairman of the Da Nang Tourism Association, acknowledged that the city has a huge advantage in attracting cruise tourists - a high-spending group of visitors in the coming years when the Tien Sa Port becomes a dedicated port for international cruise ships, and is located on a very favourable route from Northeast Asia to Southeast Asia.

However, to fully tap this potential market, the Da Nang tourism industry and the business community need to survey and introduce new rural tourism sites for cruise ship passengers and products that enhance their travel experience, in addition to traditional tourism products such as city tours and shopping.

“We are proposing to the city leaders and the national government to make Da Nang a departure port for cruise ship passengers and work with shipping lines to bring passengers to Da Nang not only for sightseeing but also for accommodation on shore. To do this, it is necessary to have a legal framework for entry and exit.

The business community and the Da Nang Tourism Association will soon establish a MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) Tourism Club to focus on promoting markets with high spending capacity and luxury groups of guests,” said Mr. Dung.

According to the Da Nang Department of Tourism, the city’s accommodation facilities are sufficient to meet the requirements of rich and super-rich guests. In 2024, six new 5-star hotels, apartments, and coastal resorts were put into operation in the city.

The tourism industry has also built a service system for high-spending tourists with a system of distinct tourist attractions, high-end resorts and hotels, and show services that are associated with outstanding local cultural values.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoai An, the Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism, said that one of the major orientations and goals of the city in the long term is to focus on calling for more investment to form an ecosystem, luxury and super luxury tourism products.

In 2025, the tourism industry will continue to attract the segment of resort tourists, experiencing local culture, MICE, golf, wedding tourism through investing in new tourism products, implementing plans to develop wedding tourism, MICE and golf.

At the same time, the city will promote cooperation in international tourism development, including expanding its network of potential and key international markets, promoting the proactive role of tourism associations, member associations in linking with supply chains, connecting international cooperation and exchanging customer sources.

Reporting by NGỌC HA - Translating by A.THU