Saturday, August 17, 2024 Da Nang, a central coastal city in Vietnam, is increasingly positioning itself as a prime destination for major music and sports events, both domestic and international. The city has been focusing on leveraging its well-developed infrastructure and diverse range of services to attract a broad audience. In recent years, Da Nang has successfully hosted several large-scale events, such as the My Soul 1981 Liveshow by singer My Tam, which attracted over 5,000 spectators at the Ariyana Convention Centre Danang.
Additionally, the 2024 Barefoot Run drew nearly 1,000 runners, while the Da Nang International Marathon 2024 saw participation from over 9,000 athletes. The VNExpress Marathon Da Nang Midnight 2024 and the 8th edition of VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 Vietnam 2024 also attracted significant numbers, with nearly 8,000 and 3,000 athletes, respectively.
To accommodate such large events, the Ariyana Convention Centre Danang has recently renovated a 20,000m2 outdoor space adjacent to the beach, transforming it into one of the largest coastal event venues in Vietnam. This development underscores the city’s commitment to establishing itself as Asia’s leading destination for events and festivals. Strategic Investments in Event Infrastructure Mr.
Le Dinh Nam, Deputy General Director of the Furama – Ariyana Danang International Tourism Complex, emphasized that the renovation of the outdoor space to host major music events, such as the My Soul 1981 Liveshow, is a testament to the company’s dedication to enhancing Da Nang’s event-hosting capabilities. Nam expressed optimism that the success of these events would pave the way for Da Nang to continue hosting large-scale domestic and international events, further solidifying its reputation as a premier event destination. Similarly, Mr.
Nguyen Thanh Tam, General Director of Viet An Group JSC, acknowledged Da Nang’s potential to become an ideal location for major music and sports events. He attributed this to the city’s favorable geographical location, which provides easy connectivity to both ends of the country, and its highly developed tourism infrastructure. The presence of Da Nang International Airport, which offers direct connections to many major cities both within and outside Vietnam, further enhances the city’s appeal to tourists and event organizers alike.
Long-Term Vision for Event-Driven Tourism Despite Da Nang’s recent successes, industry experts believe that a long-term strategy is necessary to sustain and expand the city’s appeal as an event destination. Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tam suggested that Da Nang should focus on exploiting its competitive advantages and creating unique, attractive tourism products to draw more major events in the future.
He recommended that the city continue organizing live shows and concerts featuring famous domestic and international artists to diversify its offerings and attract different demographic groups. Moreover, Tam advised the city to proactively seek collaborations with artist management companies and prestigious event organizers to bring in big-name performers, which would create a strong draw for tourists. This approach not only enhances the city’s reputation but also provides opportunities for visitors to experience and engage with the local culture through a variety of events.
Boosting Tourism Through Effective Promotion To maximize the impact of these events, it is crucial for Da Nang to increase its promotional efforts. Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tam proposed leveraging multimedia channels, including social networks, television, and tourism websites, to promote the city’s festivals and events.
He also suggested collaborating with celebrities and Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), both locally and internationally, as an effective strategy to reach a wider audience and attract more tourists. Additionally, Da Nang’s accommodation infrastructure plays a vital role in supporting its ambitions. Mr.
Nguyen Duc Quynh, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang Tourism Association and Chairman of the city’s Hotel Association, highlighted that the city offers around 1,297 accommodation establishments with a total of 46,035 rooms, capable of meeting the needs of large numbers of visitors. This extensive infrastructure, coupled with Da Nang’s established reputation as a leading MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) destination, positions the city well to host significant cultural, entertainment, and sports events. Global Implications and Future Outlook The successful organization of major events, such as the 2nd Da Nang Asian Film Festival 2024 and the 13th ASEAN Schools Games 2024, has not only contributed to Da Nang’s reputation but also to the promotion of local tourism.
By hosting these events, Da Nang has effectively positioned itself as an ideal destination for cultural, entertainment, and sports activities in Vietnam, attracting both domestic and international tourists. This strategy is expected to further enhance the city’s visibility on the global stage and tap into new tourist markets, ultimately boosting the local economy and solidifying Da Nang’s status as a premier event destination..
