Opportunities for tourism in Da Nang

Da Nang is attractive to international tourist markets, including those from Muslim-majority or Muslim-majority countries (such as the Middle East, Malaysia, etc.). In the photo: Tourists from Muslim-majority or Muslim-majority countries arriving in Da Nang in early 2025. Photo: NGOC HA

Large scale and potential

Recently, Halal tourism (meaning all services are friendly and meet the specific requirements of Islam) has emerged as a global trend, making a significant contribution to the development of the tourism industry in many countries. It is estimated that there are approximately 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide , and this number is projected to reach nearly 2.2 billion by 2030, accounting for about 30% of the global population. With this number, Halal tourism is estimated to contribute $334.5 billion to the global tourism industry by 2030.

Recognizing this potential, many countries around the world have implemented policies to attract Muslim tourists. In Vietnam, on February 14, 2023, the Prime Minister approved the project "Strengthening international cooperation to build and develop the Halal industry in Vietnam by 2030," creating a strong impetus for the development of the Halal industry. Da Nang City is aiming to build an image of a tourist destination friendly to Muslims. In the last 10 years, from the 5th Asian Beach Games (ABG5) in 2016 to the APEC High-Level Week in 2017, the Southeast Asian School Games in 2024, etc., Da Nang City has had the opportunity to welcome and serve many Muslim tourists.

According to statistics, in 2024, Da Nang received over 4 million international visitors, including Muslims from several countries such as India (nearly 200,000), Malaysia (over 131,000), Indonesia (nearly 40,000), the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (nearly 4,000), and Iran (over 2,600)... In the first four months of 2025, there were over 3.5 million overnight visitors, an increase of over 18.6% compared to the same period last year, of which over 1.7 million were international visitors, an increase of 43% compared to the same period. This result reflects the effectiveness of the promotion and market expansion strategy, and affirms Da Nang's growing attractiveness to international tourism markets, including those from Muslim or Islamic countries (such as the Middle East, Malaysia, etc.).

The city is currently promoting several new flight routes from CIS countries to Da Nang. Specifically, charter flights from Astana and Almaty (Kazakhstan) to Da Nang are operated by Crystal Bay, Rustar Tour, and Vietjet Air from April 2nd to October 25th, with a frequency of 4 flights/week; Anex Tour and Azur Air operate from April 10th to October 17th with a frequency of 4 flights/week; Selfie Travel and Scat Airlines operate from April 10th with a frequency of 2 flights/week; and a charter flight from Tashkent (Uzbekistan) is operated by Centrum-Air Airways from April 27th, with a frequency of 1 flight/week...

Opportunities for the tourism industry

According to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Middle Eastern, CIS, and Muslim tourist markets not only diversify the market but also create momentum for the development of related products and services. First and foremost, it helps expand the promotion of Da Nang as a destination and broaden the segment of high-end, high-spending tourists. Specifically, tourists from the Middle East, especially the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, are typically middle and upper-class, with the ability to spend heavily on accommodation, fine dining, shopping, relaxation, and healthcare.

This is a source of tourists that helps Da Nang increase revenue without needing a significant increase in the number of visitors. Secondly, it increases the demand for specialized tourism services and upgrades overall quality. Serving Halal tourists and visitors from Muslim countries promotes the standardization of service quality according to international standards. This leads to positive changes in infrastructure, service processes, personnel training, and enhances the competitiveness of Da Nang tourism in the region.

Third, gradually develop new flight routes. Emirates' route from Dubai and charter flights from Kazakhstan (CIS) help Da Nang directly connect with distant markets that were previously considered difficult to access. This provides a foundation for increasing frequency and expanding market share for tourists from Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Fourth, develop unique and less repetitive tourism products.

Tourists from the CIS and Eastern Europe enjoy exploring nature, beach resorts, spa services, and local culture. Middle Eastern tourists prefer privacy, high-end services, and unique culinary experiences (Halal, non-alcoholic). This presents an opportunity for Da Nang to design "tailored-for-you" products, avoiding direct competition with traditional markets such as Korea, China, and Japan.

Furthermore, extending the tourist season increases year-round occupancy rates. Markets such as the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Kazakhstan typically travel during the summer and winter, differing from the peak season for Asian tourists. This helps Da Nang reduce seasonality, increasing hotel and tour occupancy throughout the year. Simultaneously, it attracts new international investment and cooperation as the number of tourists from Muslim and CIS markets increases, leading to expanded investment in Halal ecosystems, resort services, international schools, medical tourism, and high-end hotel chains.

This is an opportunity for Da Nang to attract investors from the UAE, Türkiye, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and other countries to expand multi-sectoral economic and tourism cooperation; develop industries related to Halal practices; and attract industries such as food, cosmetics, education and training, certification consulting services, and Islamic banking and financial services.

NGOC HA

Source: https://baodanang.vn/kinhte/202505/co-hoi-cho-du-lich-da-nang-4007725/