Da Nang’s tourism sector is showing strong signs of a rebound as the city has welcomed about 3.7 million tourists since the beginning of 2022. The strong recovery in tourism have been mainly to the creation of cultural resourses in a high quality and in-depth manner, leaving a deep impression on tourists.

Local residents and tourists interacting with international dancers at the street carnival. Photo: XUAN DUNG

Diverse cultural events

During high tourism season in Da Nang in summer 2022, the city has hosted many large-scale festivals, and cultural events to make it more inviting to domestic and foreign tourists in a bid to increase visitor arrivals. Recently, local people and visitors have been treated to a spectacular music party and fireworks display during the Sun Fest Street Carnival themed ‘Take me to the Sun’ within the framework of the ‘Enjoy Da Nang Summer Festival 2022’.

Co-organsised by the Da Nang government and Sun Group, the music festival featured smooth, melodious, and vibrant performances, including Cham dance, traditional folk songs of Northen and Central Viet Nam with the participation of famous domestic singers and artists, thereby leaving an unforgettable impressions on the audience, especially tourists.

Apart from major activities, the city has also made its own brand with an array of exciting events such as street dance, magic tricks, and Han River dance. Especially, the APEC Sculture Garden hosts many stunning events which feature a variety of colours and musical genres every week, and these events have drawn great deal of attention from tourists.

Furthermore, exhibitions held at local museums have been very attractive to international tourists. Recently, many cafes and restaurants have also operated "singing to each other" model to attract more customers. This model has become even more popular among local residents and visitors, contributing to bringing fresh perspectives to culture and community in the city

Creating resources for sustainable tourism development

In the mid-July, 2022, Nui Than Tai Hot Springs Park nestled in Hoa Phu Commune, Hoa Vang District became a favourite destination for tourists to watch the Tung Tung Da Da dance which is a traditional dance of Co Tu ethnic minority people as a way to connect the earth with the universe, and the ancestors.

Ms. Za Ram Nguyet, 32, the leader of the Tung Tung Da Da dance Team from Phu Tuc Village, Hoa Phu Commune said that she feels proud of her ethnic minority group’s traditional dance, and she is even happier as she has the chance to perform this dance in a such big tourist site.

“We can access more job and earnings opportunities through our dance performances at the Nui Than Tai Hot Springs. Especially, we are not worried about the lost traditional dance of the Co Tu people. We will do our utmost to promote the Co Tu people’s culture and showcase it the country and the world, contributing to attracting tourists" remarked Ms. Za Ram Nguyet.

Besides, the East Sea Park hosted the Viet Nam - Japan Festival 2022 from July 14 to 17, and this event was co-organised by the Da Nang Department of Foreign Affairs, and local relevant agencies, along with the Consulate General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City. The festival featured a wide range of cultural exchange programmes and tourism events.

Consul-General of Japan in Da Nang, Mr Yakabe Yoshinori said that recent years have witnessed a growing number of Japanese tourists to Da Nang as the city possesses many tangible and intangible cultural heritages that have been recognised by UNESCO, while it is blessed with beautiful beaches, stunning landscape, and interesting recreational activities, making the city more inviting to foreign tourists. Therefore, Da Nang is a best place in Viet Nam to visit for Japanese students and young people.

The Japanese diplomat hoped to increase exchange programs with Da Nang in the coming time with the deepening of ties between the city and Japan.

Da Nang Department of Culture and Sports Deputy Director Nguyen Thi Hoi An highlighted the significance of cultural events in bringing unforgettable experiences to locals and domestic and foreign visitors, as well as driving rapid recovery of the tourism industry, and making the city one of the best places to visit in Viet Nam. In the coming time, the city will continue its efforts to deliver new and unique cultural events to increase tourist arrivals. In particular, the focus will be on offering more new art programs and theatre shows.  

From now until the end of the year, the heed will be paid to organising cultural activities on both banks of the Han River, hosting art programs to celebrate the public holidays. Included are Beach Music Festival, and music festival entitled ‘Dear Da Nang, Wait for Me”. The intention is to create more interesting cultural events, diversifying entertainment activities in a bid to sastify the needs and interests of local people and visitors.

Reporting by XUAN DUNG – Translating by H.L