The World Cities Summit (WCS) Mayors Forum has just taken place in the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize laureate city of Seoul, South Korea, taking the ‘Livable and Sustainable Cities: Creating an Inclusive and Resilient Future’ as its theme.

Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Council Tran Phuoc Son (front row, third from left) and other delegates attending the forum.

The theme was centred on the importance of ensuring inclusivity in a society, not leaving anyone behind, particularly the underprivileged, even as cities strive towards urban development and economic success.

In attendance at the forum were 46 mayors of cities around the world, along with many leaders of typical international organisations, corporations and businesses. The Da Nang delegation, led by Vice Chairman of the municipal People's Council Tran Phuoc Son, participated in this event.

At the forum, mayors joined discussions about how they can build inclusive societies and empower communities. At the same time, they also reach consensus that inclusion and empowerment are indispensable for building “a society for all”, including disadvantaged groups. This is especially important in the post-COVID-19 world where the systemic inequalities of societies have been exacerbated as a result of the pandemic.

The mayors also shared the same points of view that transformation must be through effective policies and actions to achieve social harmony and inclusion, equality of opportunity and access, and the participation of people and community empowerment, as well as tolerance and respect for diversity.

The Da Nang delegation participated in a tourism promotion programme introducing Da Nang tourism in Seoul on Sunday.

The programme was organized by the Da Nang Department of Tourism in collaboration with the Tourism Promotion Representative Office of the Viet Nam National Tourism Administration in South Korea with the participation of Mr. Nguyen Viet Anh, Deputy Ambassador of Viet Nam in South Korea, Mr. Ly Xuong Can, Ambassador of Viet Nam Tourism in South Korea and more than 80 guests who were representatives of airlines, travel agencies, M.I.C.E organisers, golfers, KOLs and many others. South Korean press agencies attended the programme to promote destinations and unique products focusing on M.I.CE and golf tourism promotion.

The Da Nang delegation poses for a souvenir photo with delegates attending the Da Nang tourism promotion programme.

At the programme, Vice Chairman Son stating that South Korea has always been Da Nang’s leading international tourist source market in recent times. The city’s tourism industry has always focused on organising promotional activities in South Korea with the desire to bring South Korean tourists new and quality travel experiences.

In particular, Viet Nam’s new visa policy that extends the validity of visitor e-visas for foreigners entering Viet Nam from 30 days to 90 days starting August 15, will create easier and more convenient travel conditions for international tourists, including South Koreans.

Tourist arrivals in Da Nang from South Korea has experienced continuous growth since 2015. Since Viet Nam opened its doors to international tourism post COVID-19, Da Nang tourism has recovered positively.
As of September 2023, the number of visitors served by accommodation establishments reached more than 5.8 million, equal to 115% compared to the same period in 2019. Outstandingly, international visitors were 1.56 million, equal to 98% compared to the same period in 2019, more than 1 million of whom were South Korea nationals, accounting for 48% of the total international visitors arriving in the city.

In order to meet the information needs of travel and service units and promote sustainable tourism cooperation and exchange between South Korea and Da Nang, the above-mentioned Da Nang tourism introduction programme updated information on the image of Da Nang that orients itself towards a city of vibrant event and festivals.

In parallel with that, Da Nang’s new products and services, especially beach resort, MICE tourism and golf tourism products were introduced to South Korean tourist market.

Da Nang is also positioning its golf destination brand on the regional and world golf tourism map by hosting the Asian Development Tour for three consecutive years from 2022 to 2024.

The BRG Open Golf Championship Da Nang tournament was successfully held in 2022 and 2023, attracting the attention of many professional golfers; including typical names from South Korea such as Minhyeok Yang, Hyukchul Shin and Minwoo Park.

Reporting by Da Nang People’s Council, TRONG HUY - Translating by A.THU