Over recent years, Da Nang has emerged as Viet Nam’s top destination for events and festivals.

An eye-catching flower-decorated vehicle representing Da Nang - Viet Nam team at DIFF 2017

Most notably, the city was an official sponsor and host port for the 2015 - 2016 Clipper Round the World Race.  It was the first locality in Southeast Asia to participate in the race with its team named ‘Da Nang-Viet Nam’.

Thanks to the great efforts of the local authorities in diversifying and renewing the tourism products, the city has gradually affirmed its position as ‘Asia’s Leading Festival and Events Destination’, the award it was given at the World Travel Awards Asia & Australasia Gala Ceremony in 2016.

Over the past year, the city hosted a wide range of large-scale international and national events, including the Open South-Central Coast and Central Highlands region Musical Festival, the 20^th Viet Nam Film Festival, the International Cuisine Festival, the Asia Golf Tourism Convention, the VNG IRONMAN 70.3 Viet Nam Triathlon, the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF), and the APEC Economic Leaders' Week (AELW).

Foreign artistes treating local audience members to a fascinating drum performance

In addition, various exciting festive and cultural activities were held along both banks of the Han River at weekends and on public holidays.  Such activities included street parades of live music and dancing along Tran Hung Dao, street music programmes on the Bach Dang street riverside walk, and trumpet performances at the western end of the Rong (Dragon) Bridge.  In addition, ‘bai choi’ (singing while acting as playing cards) performances, and Tuong (classical drama) street performances at the eastern end of the Rong (Dragon) Bridge in Son Tra District were also organised to introduce local residents and visitors to the traditional arts of the Quang Nam-Da Nang coastal area.

Fascinating trumpet performance at the western end of the Rong (Dragon) Bridge.

The majority of domestic and foreign visitors to the city are deeply impressed with its beautiful tourism image, the hospitality of local residents, and especially the diversification of cultural activities.  They often leave their thoughts and comments in visitors’ books placed at such local attractions as the Museum of Cham Sculpture, the Fine Arts Museum, and the Nguyen Hien Dinh Tuong Theatre.

During the AELW held in the city last November, Ms Lynda Babao- O’Neill, the wife of the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, visited the Nguyen Hien Dinh Tuong Theatre to watch fascinating arts performances by the theatre’s artistes.  In her writings in visitors’ book at the theatre, she remarked that this was the first time she had visited Da Nang, and she was really deeply impressed with the great Tuong (classic drama) performing arts.  She hoped that she could return to the city in the near future to learn more about the local cultural identities and the people here.

One of the highlights of this year is that the city will host the 1^st International Theatre Institute (ITI) World Performing Arts Festival on 1 July 2018 to celebrate the 70^th birthday of ITI.

The first-ever event is expected to attract 20 foreign troupes with around 1,000 artistes in total from 90 ITI member nations, plus 10 domestic troupes.

The arts performances will be shown at the Trung Vuong Theatre, the Nguyen Hien Dinh Tuong Theatre, a main stage at the East Sea Park, and outdoor stages along both banks of the Han River.

The international-level festival will provide an opportunity for local residents and visitors to enjoy different types of performing arts of the world.  It will be considered as a great chance for the city, especially local artistes to further advertise types of traditional Vietnamese stage performing arts to international friends.