Da Nang’s Rapid Transformation in 6 Months
Da Nang, the central hub of Vietnam, has witnessed remarkable growth in both tourism and investment in 2025. Within just half a year, the city’s skyline has visibly transformed with a surge in new construction, while tourism demand has rebounded strongly. Alongside these developments, industrial and infrastructure projects are advancing, positioning Da Nang as a city of growing importance powered by the dual engines of “tourism + industrial investment.”
Tourism Recovery
In the first eight months of 2025, Da Nang welcomed an estimated 12.8 million visitors, marking a robust 20.8% year-on-year increase. Of this figure, international arrivals reached 5 million (+23.4%), while domestic tourists totaled 7.8 million (+19.1%). In August alone, nearly 1.97 million visitors came to the city, including 671,000 international travelers.
Tourism revenue has also surged. Accommodation and food services generated VND 36.3 trillion (approx. USD 1.43 billion) from January to August, accounting for 21.6% of the city’s retail and service revenue. Accommodation revenue rose 31.7%, while food services climbed 22.1% year-on-year.
Infrastructure and Investment Attraction
Da Nang is actively pushing forward with the development of a Free Trade Zone (FTZ) and strengthening efforts to attract investment in port logistics and high-tech industries. The expansion of Lien Chieu Port serves as a cornerstone to support import-export activities. Additionally, the establishment of the Hoa Ninh Industrial Park and the planned Da Nang International Financial Center (DNIFC) are drawing increasing attention from global investors.
On the industrial front, Da Nang is emerging as a semiconductor and AI hub, already hosting more than 20 semiconductor-related companies. With high-tech industries as its backbone, the city is accelerating the transformation of Central Vietnam’s industrial structure.
Expansion of Air Routes
Da Nang is expanding cooperation with both domestic and international airlines to strengthen its global flight network. While maintaining existing direct routes to Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia, the city is also planning new long-haul connections to the United States, Europe, Australia, Russia, India, and the Middle East. These developments are expected to boost international exchanges for both tourism and business.
KBC-LINK’s Perspective
When visiting Da Nang in both March and September 2025, we observed striking changes. Within only half a year, new construction projects had significantly increased, visibly reshaping the city’s skyline. As new hotels and commercial facilities sprang up, restaurants and hotels began to regain their vibrancy with the returning flow of tourists.
However, through local interviews, it also became clear that changes in government regulations and tax policies are still impacting small-scale businesses. While many small retailers and service providers remain cautious, export-oriented manufacturers appear to be regaining momentum, supported by the shift of production from China.
Da Nang today is more than just a tourism hotspot. With its growing port infrastructure and high-tech industrial base, it is increasingly positioning itself as an industrial city. For companies considering entry into Vietnam, understanding this dual identity of tourism and industrial investment will be essential.
Sources
VietnamPlus, August 11, 2025 — https://en.vietnamplus.vn/da-nangs-tourism-sector-sees-new-prospects-following-mergence-of-administrative-units-post324352.vnp
DANANG NEWS, August 20, 2025 — https://en.baodanang.vn/da-nang-welcomes-12-8-million-visitors-in-8-months-of-2025-3300752.html
VietnamPlus, September 11, 2025 — https://en.vietnamplus.vn/da-nang-pushes-forward-with-ftz-project-eyes-strategic-investors-post326367.vnp
Edited by: KBC-LINK Editorial Team
