International visits to Da Nang surge 33% during fireworks festival

Finland's performance at the DIFF 2024 grand finale, July 13. Photo courtesy of DIFF 2024

With the dedication and collaboration between the city and its sponsors, DIFF 2024 has emerged as a magnet attracting visitors to Da Nang.

According to the Da Nang Department of Tourism, tourism accommodations served a total of 360,662 guests during the 5-day duration of the event, marking a 12% increase compared to last year.

Of these, there were over 138,000 international guests, a 33% increase from the previous year, and more than 222,600 domestic guests, a 2% increase.

During the month-long event, tourism accommodations in Da Nang hosted over 1.5 million guests, representing a 60% increase compared to 2023.

A total of 11,442 guests used the fireworks viewing services on Da Nang's 23 boats, which collectively offer nearly 2,500 seats, an 11.8% increase from DIFF 2023.

During this year’s event, Da Nang's tourism sector experienced significant revenue growth.

Accommodation, food services, and travel services in June generated an estimated VND16.344 trillion (US$645 million), marking a 28.2% rise compared to the same period in 2023.

According to Le Trung Chinh, Chairman of Da Nang People's Committee, the festival has had a significant impact on the city's socio-economic development, especially in the tourism and service sectors.

"In the future, we will build upon these accomplishments and continuously innovate to broaden our range of activities, particularly with DIFF," he said.

However, Da Nang offers more than just a major fireworks festival.

This summer, a series of performances at Sun World Ba Na Hills has attracted world-class circus performers and top magicians, solidifying Da Nang’s reputation as an artistic hub.

The Fairy Blossom show, which features over 200 international and Vietnamese artists including the world’s premier circus performers, celebrated twin stars from The Ellen Show, and a prominent Russian duo known for their appearances at royal events.

At the heart of the city, Da Nang Downtown has been transformed into a vibrant recreation of entertainment district models found around the world, providing an array of experiences and dynamic performances from day to night.

Also, the Awaken River event energized the west bank of the Han River with thrilling jetski and flyboard displays reminiscent of Hollywood blockbusters, and Symphony of River presented a captivating blend of jetski and flyboard stunts, spectacular lighting, circus acts, and dance performances featuring nearly 100 international artists.

The show's centerpiece is its nightly fireworks display, which further cements Da Nang's reputation as the fireworks capital of Vietnam.

In addition to its unique performances at renowned tourist attractions, Da Nang is hosting a series of prominent international events and festivals this season.

These include the Da Nang Asian Film Festival, the ASEAN Schools Games, the Asian Golf Championship, and the Enjoy Da Nang Festival, which took place on July 17-21.

Enjoy Da Nang featured a diverse array of activities, including arts, cuisine, sports, and notable performances such as sailboat displays and the city's first drone technology showcase.

As a series of major festivals are held continuously, accommodations in Da Nang are experiencing increased investment to meet the growing influx of visitors to the city.

In July, the city boasted approximately 1,300 tourist accommodation establishments, providing a total of 46,000 rooms. This marks an increase of 117 establishments and over 4,000 rooms compared to the same period in 2023.

Among them, 104 establishments offer 20,358 rooms rated 4-5 stars, while almost 1,200 establishments provide 25,677 rooms rated 3 stars or lower.

Da Nang is achieving significant socio-economic growth through strategic investments in tourism, particularly in large-scale international festivals and tourism initiatives.

According to a report from the Da Nang Department of Tourism, the city welcomed 5.1 million overnight visitors in the first half of the year, including 2 million international tourists—a more than 40% increase compared to 2023.

This influx has significantly boosted revenue from food and accommodation services, reaching nearly VND13 trillion (US$513 million), a 22.2% increase from the previous year.

Additionally, the city's economy grew by 8.35% in the second quarter of 2024, contributing to an overall growth rate of 5% for the first six months of the year.

In 2024, Da Nang has set an ambitious goal to attract over 8 million overnight visitors, representing a 6% increase from the previous year and a full recovery to the levels observed in the peak year of 2019.

With the concerted efforts of the government, businesses, and residents, this target is expected to be met and potentially exceeded.

Achieving this goal will lay the groundwork for Da Nang to establish itself as a leading economic and social hub in Vietnam and Southeast Asia by 2030.

Da Nang plans to implement special policies and establish Vietnam's first free trade zone, aligning with the national goals for this decade and beyond. With a vision to 2045, Da Nang seeks to become a large eco-smart urban area, a hub for start-ups and innovation, and a livable coastal city reaching top Asian standards.