Da Nang enjoys a 35% surge in H1 foreign tourist arrivals: Where is the attraction?

According to the Da Nang Statistical Office, there has been a steady rise in the tourism data of the city in the first 7 months of 2024, notably in the number of international visitors. These figures reached 2.5 million arrivals, a 34.7% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Therefore, as of the first 7 months of the year, the number of international visitors to Da Nang has already reached the annual target (Da Nang set a target of welcoming 8.42 million visitors in 2024). It has been forecasted that the Han River City absolutely could expect good news as the number of international visitors is projected to reach 3.5 million in 2024, which is equivalent to pre-pandemic levels.

To explain this impressive growth figure, the Da Nang Statistical Office states that it depends on a series of continuous events organized to attract both domestic and international visitors, notably the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival 2024 (DIFF), which took place from June 8th to July 13th. This festival brings a booming tourism season in Da Nang. Along with that, there are also "magnetics" that sustainably attract international tourists to the Han River City. Sun World Ba Na Hills is a typical example, as according to statistics from this tourist area, for every 10 international visitors to Da Nang, there are up to 7 visitors coming to Ba Na.

A place “satisfying” every traveler's desires

There are many reasons why international tourists are  captivated by Sun World Ba Na Hills, since different types of travelers, regardless of their nationality, can be satisfied by this place.

For tourists from year-round hot countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and India, Ba Na Hills is known as a temperate paradise in the tropical region, where visitors can enjoy cool weather throughout the four seasons. The number of Indian tourists to Sun World Ba Na Hills reached 132,000 by the end of July 2024, accounting for nearly 50% of the total number of Indian tourists to Vietnam in the first 7 months of the year.

“Ba Na is like a fairyland to my family. The Golden Bridge, the stunning, beautiful, and vibrant castles... The atmosphere is cool and comfortable, allowing us to play all day without getting tired, feeling very refreshed", said Muskan Tiwari from New Delhi, sharing what Indian tourists love about Ba Na. Moreover, Indian visitors also have chances to enjoy authentic Indian cuisine when coming here, as this attraction even has a buffet restaurant to serve Halal food - the distinctive food of Indian tourists.

For the largest international tourist source market in Vietnam nowadays - South Korea, Sun World Ba Na Hills is popular since it goes along with the mindset of Korean visitors. Korean tourists enjoy the atmosphere of an ancient European town and pay attention to highly rated destinations on Instagram. According to the South Korea’s Financial Times, it is estimated that for every 3 tourists, there is 1 South Korean tourist at Sun World Ba Na Hills.

Mr. Yong Sung Ok, the Southeast Asia regional manager of one of the top travel companies in South Korea – Hanatour, also pointed out that Koreans enjoy mountains and cable cars. "Personally, I enjoy taking cable cars. I think the most appealing aspect is being able to take a sightseeing of the beautiful scenery from above," he remarked.

And for many tourists around the world, the Golden Bridge at Sun World Ba Na Hills is a conquerable dream. Many tourists from distant Europe and America have flown for 8-9 hours just to have a check-in photo at the Golden Bridge - a structure selected as one of the 100 greatest places in the world by the US’s TIME magazine, while the Bored Panda praises it as Vietnam man-made wonder, renowned as the second most popular destination only after Ha Long Bay. After 6 years since its debut, the Golden Bridge continues to maintain its popularity as it has just been introduced by TravelLeisure as a must-visit spot for photography when traveling to Da Nang.

On Instagram - the world's largest photo-sharing social network, the number of tourists around the world checking in the Golden Bridge has reached nearly 30,000 posts. The hashtag #goldenbridge has reached 159,000 posts, demonstrating the global love for this iconic bridge.

Constantly renewed destination

That is the comment of many international tourists when they visit Sun World Ba Na Hills multiple times. "What I love about Ba Na Hills is that every time I come back, I have a chance to experience something different. That's why every time I go to Da Nang, I always choose to visit Ba Na and never get bored," shared by Lee Seo Joon, a Korean tourist.

The most distinctive feature of Ba Na Hills is not only its iconic tourist attractions such as the Golden Bridge, French Village, or Helios Waterfall, but also the four-season festive atmosphere from the world-class shows. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars to watch an exclusive show, visitors can be able to experience international standard performances the whole day with just a cable car ticket. This summer, in Ba Na Hills, tourists can expect a series of minishows by international artists, such as skating performance at the central church square, Beer King game, and participation in B'estival festival. Notably, Sun World Ba Na Hills introduces a special show combining 12 types of art, featuring the participation of hundreds of international artists. It’s called Fairy Blossom which takes place at Noel Plaza square at 11 am daily (except Tuesdays).

The festival atmosphere at Ba Na is also found in delicious German beers, which visitors can enjoy instead of traveling all the way to the distant Oktoberfest. Notably this summer, for the first time, Sun World Ba Na Hills has introduced the highest craft beer brewery in Vietnam (1,487m) - a project that has been in process for 10 years at Ba Na. Since then, fresh batches of beer and impressively designed cans by the brand Sun Kraft Beer are officially launched. The formula and brewing team provided directly by Camba - Bavaria brewery, the raw materials for beer production are carefully selected by Camba among the best types of Germany, New Zealand, and the United States, ensuring that each batch of Sun KraftBeer is brewed on the top of Ba Na with a delicious and “authentic taste”.

Even until nightfall, visitors are still amazed by Ba Na Hills with its captivating attractions when they can immerse themselves in the fire dance show and campfire activation performed by South American artists or dance the night away with glamorous Thai transgender beauty queens at the Cabaret Plus costume show. Alternatively, one can simply stay a peaceful night at Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills, to leisurely take a walk along picturesque streets and to gaze up at the star-filled night sky.

With such unique experiences that cannot be found anywhere else in the world, it is not difficult to understand why Ba Na Hills attracts foreign tourists so much. This "magnet" is still waiting for you to come and experience by yourself, to discover a Da Nang that not only has the most beautiful beaches in the world but also brings a journey of endless joy on the peak of Ba Na.