The Da Nang Tourism Department on March 26 received the first non-stop flight from Narita (Japan) back to the city after the pandemic. The flight, VN319, brought 180 passengers to Vietnam's city which has one of the six most beautiful beaches on the planet.

According to the tourism department, Japan was determined as the key market for Da Nang’s tourism with steady growth. In 2019, the total number of Japanese travelers to the sea city reached 183,000, a growth rate of 200 percent over 2015 (92,000). Since Vietnam began reopening international tourism in March 2022, Da Nang has received 27,000 Japanese travelers.

The resumption of the first regular route from Narita to Da Nang is hoped to help attract Japanese travelers back to Da Nang and attract Vietnamese travelers to Narita.

Yoshinori Yakabe said Da Nang, with its beautiful beaches and mountains, is the gateway to four Epirus cultural heritage sites, and  has favorable conditions to attract foreign travelers.

He said that Japanese like experiencing ecotourism and visiting places such as the Complex of Hue Monuments and My Son Sanctuary.

“The resumption of air routes between Japan and Da Nang gives opportunities to Vietnam and Da Nang to develop tourism. Many Japanese businessmen also want to come to Da Nang to make investments,” Yoshinori Yakabe said. “In the immediate time, we will continue cooperating with Vietnam’s airlines to promote tourism between the two countries."

Nguyen Xuan Binh, deputy director of the Da Nang Tourism Department, said that after the pandemic, it is now the time for tourism recovery. The resumption of many air routes to Da Nang shows important signs of the recovery of international tourism.

Binh said that Da Nang is promoting its images, cultural beauty and Da Nang’s people through music products. There will be a music MV to be performed by famous foreign artists to introduce Da Nang’s images to key and potential markets.

In 2022, Vietnam hosted 3.36 million foreign travelers, much lower than its goal of 5 million. In 2023, the country plans to welcome 8 million foreign travelers.

Ngoc Ha