International visitors to Da Nang surge 33% during DIFF 2024
Over the course of the month-long Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF 2024), featuring a series of world-class events and performances, Da Nang aims to establish its reputation as “Asia's Leading Festival and Event Destination”. This initiative positions the city as one of the hottest destinations in Vietnam this season.
Finland's performance at the DIFF 2024 grand finale
The magnetic appeal of DIFF 2024
The Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF 2024) took place from June 8 to July 13, 2024, featuring teams from France, Germany, Italy, the USA, Poland, China, Finland, and Vietnam. The grand finale of DIFF 2024 was a visual feast, with Finland, the former champions from DIFF 2019, reclaiming their title. This spectacular conclusion marked the end of an unforgettable festival.
It took a full year of meticulous planning and involved the efforts of over 2,000 personnel from Da Nang and Sun Group. Backed by a substantial investment of hundreds of billions of VND from Sun Group, the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) 2024 has become one of largest international fireworks festivals ever held.
With the dedication and collaboration between the city and its sponsors, DIFF 2024 has emerged as a magnet attracting visitors to Da Nang. According to the Da Nang Department of Tourism, tourism accommodations served a total of 360,662 guests during the 5-day duration of DIFF 2024, marking a 12% increase compared to DIFF 2023. Of these, there were 138,037 international guests (a 33% increase from the previous year) and 222,625 domestic guests (a 2% increase from the same period).
The brilliant stage of the DIFF 2024
During the month-long DIFF 2024 event, tourism accommodations in Da Nang hosted over 1.5 million guests, representing a 60% increase compared to DIFF 2023.
A total of 11,442 guests used the fireworks viewing services on Da Nang's 23 boats, which collectively offer 2,439 seats - an 11.8% increase from DIFF 2023.
Through the DIFF 2024, Da Nang's tourism sector experienced significant revenue growth. Accommodation, food services and travel services in June 2024 generated an estimated 16,344 trillion VND, marking a 28.2% rise compared to the same period in 2023. These figures are truly remarkable for many destinations.
DIFF 2024 has been a powerful stimulus for local tourism and has had a positive impact on all facets of the socio-economic environment. According to Mr. Le Trung Chinh, Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee, this international fireworks festival has had a significant impact on the city's socio-economic development, especially in the tourism and service sectors. He emphasized, "In the future, we will build upon these accomplishments and continuously innovate to broaden our range of activities, particularly with DIFF."
A must-visit experience, Da Nang!
Da Nang has kicked off a vibrant summer with DIFF 2024, highlighted by many positive signals such as increased flights and hotel room occupancy, breaking a record high of nearly 100%. However, Da Nang offers more than just DIFF.
The "Fairy Blossom" show at Sun World Ba Na Hills
This summer, a series of spectacular performances at Sun World Ba Na Hills has attracted world-class circus performers and top magicians, solidifying Da Nang’s reputation as an artistic hub. The "Fairy Blossom" show, which features over 200 international and Vietnamese artists, includes the world’s premier circus performer, celebrated twin stars from The Ellen Show, and a prominent Russian duo known for their appearances at royal events.
At the heart of the city, Da Nang Downtown has been transformed into a vibrant recreation of the famous "entertainment district" model found around the world, providing an array of experiences and dynamic performances from day to night. While "Awaken River" energizes the west bank of the Han River with thrilling Jetski and Flyboard displays reminiscent of Hollywood blockbusters, "Symphony of River'' presents a captivating blend of jetski and flyboard stunts, spectacular lighting, circus acts, and dance performances featuring nearly 100 international artists. The show's centerpiece is its nightly fireworks display, which further cements Da Nang's reputation as the "fireworks capital" of Vietnam.
“Symphony of River” show and its nightly fireworks display at Da Nang Downtown
In addition to its unique performances at renowned tourist attractions, Da Nang is hosting a series of prominent international events and festivals this season. These include the 2nd Da Nang Asian Film Festival, the ASEAN Schools Games, the Asian Golf Championship, and the Enjoy Da Nang Festival, scheduled from July 17 to 21. The Enjoy Da Nang Festival will feature a diverse array of activities, including arts, cuisine, sports, and notable performances such as sailboat displays and the city's first drone technology showcase.
As a series of major festivals are held continuously, accommodations in Da Nang are experiencing increased investment to meet the growing influx of visitors to the city. In July 2024, Da Nang boasts approximately 1,297 tourist accommodation establishments, providing a total of 46,035 rooms. This marks an increase of 117 establishments and 4,035 rooms compared to the same period in 2023. Among them, 104 establishments offer 20,358 rooms rated 4 to 5 stars, while 1,193 establishments provide 25,677 rooms rated 3 stars or lower.
Da Nang is achieving significant socio-economic growth through strategic investments in tourism, particularly in large-scale international festivals and tourism initiatives. According to a report from the Da Nang Department of Tourism, the city welcomed 5.1 million overnight visitors in the first half of the year, including 2 million international tourists - a more than 40% increase compared to 2023. This influx has significantly boosted revenue from food and accommodation services, reaching nearly 13 trillion VND, a 22.2% increase from the previous year. Additionally, the city's economy grew by 8.35% in the second quarter of 2024, contributing to an overall growth rate of 5.0% for the first six months of the year.
Sun World Ba Na Hills attracts a significant number of visitors to Da Nang every summer.
In 2024, Da Nang has set an ambitious goal to attract over 8 million overnight visitors, representing a 6% increase from the previous year and a full recovery to the levels observed in the peak year of 2019. With the concerted efforts of the government, businesses, and residents, this target is expected to be met and potentially exceeded. Achieving this goal will lay the groundwork for Da Nang to establish itself as a leading economic and social hub in Vietnam and Southeast Asia by 2030.
In the near future, when Da Nang implements special policies and successfully establishes Việt Nam's first free trade zone, the city will undoubtedly accelerate development, as the goal set out in Politburo's Resolution 43. With a vision to 2045, Da Nang will become a large eco-smart urban area, a hub for start-ups and innovation and a livable coastal city reaching Asian standards.