March 29, 1975, has become a significant milestone in the history of Da Nang — the day the city was liberated. Now, half a century later, Da Nang continues its journey of development, striving to become one of Vietnam's leading urban centers in terms of economy, culture, and innovation.

A corner of Da Nang city after 50 years of liberation. Photo: TUAN LE

Building and developing the homeland

My conversation with Heroine of the People's Armed Forces, Ho Thi Kim Thanh, took place just before the New Year. In her 80s, she still maintains a healthy appearance and her eyes reflect the resilience of a soldier who has faced life and death across the battlefields of Region 5. When recalling March 29, 1975, Mrs. Thanh cannot hide her emotion as she expresses that the joy of that day is unforgettable, as it marked the beginning of a new journey: the journey of rebuilding and developing her homeland.

According to Mrs. Thanh, over the past half-century, Da Nang has continuously transformed from a war-torn city into one of the most livable cities in Vietnam. The bridges across Han River such as Han River Bridge, Dragon Bridge, Thuan Phuoc Bridge, and Tran Thi Ly Bridge not only connect the eastern and western banks of the Han River but have also become symbols of the city’s aspirations for progress. “I am very happy to see Da Nang develop so rapidly,” Mrs. Thanh shared as she looked out at the cityscape from her balcony on Le Duan Street.

“In the past, this area was filled with dilapidated houses and dirt roads. Now, high-rise buildings have sprung up, when the streets are clean and beautiful, and the people live more comfortably,” Mrs. Thanh emphasized in her story that Da Nang's development has not only stemmed from modern infrastructure but also from the determination of its people. “The city began its reconstruction from ruined homes and roads, but thanks to a spirit of unity, creativity, and a willingness to innovate, Da Nang has overcome difficulties and challenges to develop into what it is today. One example is the story of the residents and businesses coming together to fund the construction of the Han River Bridge in 1998,” Mrs. Thanh recalled.

Since becoming a centrally governed city in 1997, Da Nang has undergone many positive changes and has consistently sought to reinvent itself. New buildings, new roads, and well-planned urban areas have emerged. Architect La Thi Kim Ngan, director of the Vietnam Institute of Architecture, asserts that Da Nang is being developed with prominent functions in industry, port services, and commerce. This characteristic has created a large-scale urban area with concentrated industrial zones along with a network of ports, airports, warehouses, and regional centers, dynamic economic development spaces and a modern, coherent technical infrastructure system. The initial ideas about a dynamic urban area in the Central region from the year 2000 to the present have been clearly present.

“Crossing Hai Van Pass, people can directly move to Nguyen Tat Thanh Road, which connects Lien Chieu and Thuan Phuoc like a bow embracing the Da Nang Bay, followed by Han River and the newly developed, clean urban areas. The success of investments in Da Nang reflects the determination and efforts of various levels of government and the local community. I believe that with these current efforts, Da Nang will not only be a place to live but also a destination for people to experience and create,” Mrs. Ngan remarked.

“A city within a city”

Having achieved significant milestones in tourism, technology, and infrastructure, Da Nang continues to set ambitious goals for its future. For instance, in the new phase of urban planning aimed at developing a smart city, the city is integrating high technology into various sectors, from administrative reform and traffic management to energy and healthcare. Notably, with its emerging technology ecosystem, Da Nang is well-positioned to lead in the semiconductor industry.

Speaking at the "Da Nang Semiconductor Day 2024" event organized by the Da Nang People's Committee at the end of August 2024, Chairman Le Trung Chinh affirmed that Da Nang aims to "take the lead and move quickly" in developing human resources for the semiconductor industry to welcome a wave of investment and mark a new milestone in the city's development journey. He emphasized that in all strategies, the most important aspect remains ensuring that residents feel happiness and safety while living here.

Alongside this, Mr. Tran Phuoc Hong, Director of Da Nang Port Logistics Joint Stock Company, noted that while the free trade zone is not a new concept, it is making its debut in Vietnam. He believes that once established, the model will significantly impact investment, production, and import-export activities in the near future. According to him, the free trade zone will not only facilitate domestic and international businesses' participation in the global supply chain but also strongly promote manufacturing, processing, and value-added services right here in Da Nang.

This model will particularly help optimize Da Nang's existing advantages, such as its strategic location in Central Vietnam and its integrated transportation infrastructure. Currently, each free trade zone around the world attracts at least 10,000 workers. Therefore, the establishment of a free trade zone will contribute to job creation and enhance the city's position on the regional and international economic map.

Recently, Da Nang has not only achieved impressive awards in technology, innovation, environmental protection, and administrative reform but is also steadily realizing its dream of becoming a model city and a leading center for economics, culture, and technology in the country. Specifically, according to the urban planning direction towards 2030 and the vision for 2045, the city will develop under the "city within a city" model, with satellite urban areas such as Hoa Vang, Lien Chieu, and Ngu Hanh Son, which play key roles in connecting and promoting comprehensive development.

In addition, to prepare human resources for the future, the city is continuously investing in education and developing high-quality human resources. Collaborations with major technology corporations and universities both domestically and internationally have been providing opportunities for the younger generation to study and work globally. Over the past half-century of transformation, Da Nang has not only risen from the remnants of war but has also established its position as a leader in building a model city. The fact that many people place their trust in specific mechanisms and policies, combined with a creative and passionate young generation serves as the driving force for Da Nang to continue to reach new heights.

Reporting by TIEU YEN – Translating by HONG VAN