On February 17, 2025, the Da Nang city tourism department, with Vietjet Air, hosted a significant tourism promotion event in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, aimed at bolstering travel cooperation between Da Nang and Ahmedabad. This initiative seeks to attract Indian tourists by showcasing the beautiful coastal city of Da Nang, known for its rich culture and vibrant experiences. The gathering boasted the presence of the Vietnamese Consul General, representatives from various Indian tourism associations including TAAI, TAFI, OTOAI, and GTAA, as well as over 100 guests from travel enterprises and the notable participation of Rhea Singha, Miss Universe India 2024.
The event involved numerous activities including space for business networking, screenings of promotional films highlighting Da Nang’s appeal, details about the newly established direct flights between Ahmedabad and Da Nang, and showcases of various tourism products and services from Vietnam. A notable highlight was the cultural performance featuring traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai, presented by Rhea Singha, which captivated many attendees.
Huỳnh Thị Hương Lan, Deputy Director of the Da Nang Tourism Promotion Center, articulated the organization’s strategy, declaring, "Enjoy Da Nang's diverse experiences" as the guiding principle of tourism development. She noted the increasing popularity of Da Nang among Indian tourists, mentioning, "With 2 Indian tourists visiting Vietnam, one chooses Da Nang," emphasizing the growing attraction of the destination. Lan also pointed out, "India ranks among the top 5 foreign tourist markets for Da Nang," which reflects the shift toward diversifying the city’s tourist base.
The encouraging travel statistics were shared during the event, highlighting the impact of direct flights provided by Vietjet Air, which operates twice weekly between Ahmedabad and Da Nang. By 2024, it is projected Da Nang will welcome over 222,000 visitors from India, representing 5.3% of international tourists to the city. Impressively, the total number of Indian visitors has increased more than 13.5 times compared to 2019, marking pre-pandemic travel peak periods.
The development of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism and wedding tourism has been central to Da Nang’s efforts, with the region adapting its tourism products to meet the preferences of Indian travelers. Recognizing the importance of this demographic has influenced the strategies deployed to attract significant group travel such as MICE and wedding parties.
This promotion is also aligned with the broader strategic partnership established between Vietnam and India, aimed at enriching bilateral ties through cultural and tourism exchanges. The two nations are approaching the tenth anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership initiated back in 2016, focusing on cooperation across fields including tourism and cultural exchanges.
Anticipation surrounds the positive outcomes expected from the Da Nang tourism program in Ahmedabad, which is not only geared toward boosting local tourism but also building foundational relationships beneficial for future travel developments between these two vibrant destinations. By leveraging the promotional efforts, Da Nang aims to cement itself as the go-to destination for Indian tourists seeking diverse experiences.