Da Nang has implemented several nighttime entertainment and service activities, such as An Thuong tourist street, My Khe night beach, Son Tra and Helio night markets, Sun World Danang Wonders tourist area, the increased frequency of the Dragon Bridge's fire and water performances on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays every week, regular street music programmes, and the opening of APEC Park.
Bach Dang pedestrian street attracts a large number of local people and visitors.
Recently, the city launched the Bach Dang pedestrian street and a pilot project to organise services for night tourism on Nguyen Van Troi Bridge and the park on the east bank of Nguyen Van Troi Bridge. This is considered a new push for Da Nang night tourism, creating a series of activities on both sides of the Han River, with the highlight of Nguyen Van Troi Bridge, the oldest one of this kind in Da Nang, which was renovated and the first pedestrian bridge serving tourists in the coastal city.
The pilot activities on Bach Dang pedestrian street have been implemented for 5 years, on a 1.2 km-long route from the Dragon Bridge to Tran Thi Ly Bridge, with an area of about 8 hectares. There will be three clusters of mobile kiosks with 12 kiosks on the entire sidewalk. In addition, there will be 15 mobile sales vehicles, interspersed with kiosks, to serve people. Bach Dang pedestrian street operates from 3 pm to midnight every day.
Chairman of Hai Chau District People's Committee, Le Tu Gia Thanh, said that coming to the pedestrian street, people and tourists can not only leisurely walk on a clean and beautiful street to admire unique bridges and the beauty of modern and spacious architectural works, but also immerse themselves in a colourful cultural picture, with vibrant art programmes imbued with local identity. The street is expected to provide interesting and unforgettable experiences.
As part of a series of cultural and artistic activities on both sides of the Han River, Asia Park has been renamed Da Nang Downtown since June 2024, with the orientation of becoming the most attractive shopping and entertainment centre in the centre of the Han River city. Phung Pham Thanh Thuy, Director of Da Nang Downtown, has high expectations for these new tourism products and believes that Da Nang Downtown will bring visitors from one to another surprise and provide them with a memorable summer in the coastal city.
The night experiences and shows will especially contribute to making Da Nang's night tourism more impressive to visitors, turning the city into a memorable destination. "Appearing for the first time in Da Nang with the theme of “Symphony of River”, the Jetski & Flyboards extreme sports art show, combined with music, lights, skilful dances on the water and fireworks, has allowed visitors to witness Hollywood blockbusters coming to life”, Thuy added.
In 2020, the City People's Committee issued Decision No. 3613/QD-UBND, on promulgating the project of “developing the night-time economy in Da Nang City”, chaired by the Da Nang Department of Tourism.
In 2021, Da Nang City issued Decision No. 4194/QD-UBND, dated December 24, 2021, approving the project of “organising unique annual cultural events and festivals, associated with establishing a series of events and cultural festivals at night in Da Nang City in the 2022-2026 period”, with a total budget of 128 billion VND, of which 34.6 billion from the State budget and 93.4 billion VND from socialised sources.
These new policies are considered an important lever for Da Nang tourism to recover strongly after the COVID-19 pandemic, overcome limitations and difficulties, and contribute to creating more products to attract tourists, towards developing tourism and services in particular and developing the city's economy in general.
The latest report from Da Nang City People's Committee shows that the revenue from services, accommodation and catering in May 2024, was estimated at 2.296 trillion VND, up 29.5% over the same period. In particular, the revenue from accommodation services was estimated at 885 billion VND, a year-on-year increase of 45.0%. In the first five months of 2024, revenue from tourism services and catering was estimated at 10.503 trillion VND, up 22% over the same period last year. Currently, the 2024 Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF), the largest festival event in the coastal city, is taking place. In addition, the Enjoy Danang Festival 2024 will take place from July 17 to 21, with many cultural, entertainment, sports, and culinary experiences. This is considered an event to stimulate Da Nang's night-time economy and tourism.
Nguyen Thi Anh Dao - Translated by NDO