The latest statistics showed that Da Nang's population has surpassed the 1.2 million mark by the beginning of 2023. The population of the city increased by nearly 25,000 people on average per year, and the size of the increased population is equal to that of the population of a ward with the largest or second largest population in the city. In which, about 10,000 to 15,000 people or more than half of the increased inhabitants who were internal migrants were annually added to the city’s population. Except for Ho Chi Minh City and Ha Noi which are the two largest cities in Viet Nam, compared to other Vietnamese localities, especially central coastal localities, the significant increase in the number of internal migrants in Da Nang can be considered a phenomenon worth pondering.

This phenomenon is mainly attributed to city branding as the best place in Viet Nam to live. The city boasts of having all the components of an attractive geographical location where the land meets with a sea of pristine blue waters, the valley with trees, and sand with stone. Notably, the local government has issued policies to develop Da Nang into a civilized, modern, environmentally friendly city while focusing on improving the living standards for all classes of people.

Da Nang has attracted a large number of people from other parts of country to live due to its beautiful natural landscape plus the hospitality and friendliness of the people. Photo: NGUYEN XUAN TU

The city aims to make its communities more active, and our community members will be active in production, and achieve creative breakthroughs. Besides, top priority is given to ensuring effective implementation of the city’s social welfare programs.

Da Nang has proved as a livable city not only in recent years when the city has become more civilized and modern, but also in the war years and in the early years after the city’s liberation when the city faced many challenges and it remained an attractive place to live. In the early years after its liberation, Da Nang attracted a large number of residents from all over the country to settle down in new economic zones in Hoa Son and Hoa Vang rural areas. At that time, many internal migrants in other Vietnamese localities decided to return their hometowns as their local new economic zones did not develop as expected. However, these people in Da Nang’s new economic zones were still determined to stay here despite all the difficulties and the challenges that they faced. Da Nang has become a place that draws people, that makes them attached thanks to good neighbour relations and strong ties between migrants and locally born residents. Till date, migrants have been in Da Nang for many generations, and they remain deeply attached to the city that is considered to be their homeland.

Most notably, locally born residents are truly honest and kind-hearted people. In addition, they are good neighbours as they are considerate, tolerant and understanding of others and their different lifestyles, as well as demonstrate their willingness to help others. In particular, migrants become assimilated easily into Da Nang society after they stay in the city for a long time. They also perform warm behaviours and attitudes in a similar way to locally born residents.   

Besides, tourists are impressed with nice and welcoming people of Da Nang as local residents are ready to show caring feelings or tenderness for others. In particular, local residents are willing to allow tourists to use their own restrooms for free in order to help tourists feel as comfortable as home. Their genuine behaviour and warmth make tourists feel stay for longer time in the city. 

Especially, Da Nang is offering free wifi services in inner urban areas, at crowded places, and rental properties for workers. In addition, free cancer treatment is being provided for the poor. Moreover, humane clubs that provide shelter for pregnant women, the homeless and other venerable groups have been set up across the city. These things make Da Nang different from other Vietnamese localities.

Furthermore, Da Nang is also a land with grace and gratitude as it shows gratitude and appreciation for fallen soldiers from other parts of the country who now rest in local martyrs' cemeteries. There are touching stories about martyrs' family members who are living in other parts of the country as they decided not to bring home the remains of these fallen soldiers. Martyrs' families feel secure as their beloved ones are resting in martyrs’ cemeteries with dignified and thorough care from the government and people of Da Nang.

Da Nang is also attractive to foreign investors as it boasts comfortable transportation systems and abundant human resources, as well as gives preferential treatment to them. Especially, foreign investors are deeply impressed by inquisitive, intelligent, hard-working and kind-heated people of Da Nang. These things are not easy to find in other parts of the country.

According to the draft Master Plan for major developments in Da Nang towards 2030, with a vision to 2050, the city eyes becoming one of major socioeconomic centers in Viet Nam and Southeast Asia, a center of finance, tourism and supply chain network at the national and regional level, a hub for start-ups, innovation, tourism, commerce, finance, logistics, high-tech, information technology, and supporting industries, a national center of culture - sport, education - training, high-quality healthcare, science and technology able to host major nationall and international events.  In order to achieve its goals of becoming a special city at the national and international levels for sustainable development, Da Nang will continue its efforts to make it a great place for dedicated and talented professionals to work and live in a bid to make them attached, as well as make it more inviting to tourists at both home and abroad with a focus on maintaining integrity, honesty and friendliness in local communities.

Reporting by BUI THANH – translating by H.L