Hanoi (VNA) - Building on strong diplomatic achievements from 2021–2025, the central city of Da Nang enters the 2025–2030 period with renewed determination to expand international relations, promote economic and cultural development, and further its vision as a livable city.
The municipal People’s Committee hosted a conference themed “Da Nang – New Space, New Momentum for Integration and Development” on September 26 to review the city’s international cooperation and integration efforts during the last five years, and set out directions for the next five.
The event brought together 200 delegates, including representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, diplomatic missions, international organisations, business associations, and Da Nang’s foreign affairs officials.
Integration milestones in 2021–2025
Over the past five years, Da Nang’s international integration efforts have achieved remarkable progress.
Economic diplomacy played a key role, with the city approving 288 domestic projects worth over 208 trillion VND (nearly 7.9 billion USD) and 797 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects totaling more than 1.07 billion USD.
Da Nang’s import–export turnover totaled 41 billion USD, while it attracted over 14.8 trillion VND in official development assistance and 1.43 trillion VND in non-governmental aid, significant resources for healthcare, environmental protection, and social welfare.
Tourism also recorded strong strides, welcoming 36 million visitors, including 11.7 million international arrivals. Signature events such as the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival, IRONMAN 70.3, and the National Tourism Year have reinforced the city’s image as a dynamic and friendly destination.
To date, Da Nang has established relations with 60 localities in 24 countries across five continents and signed 120 cooperation agreements, many of which have achieved substantial depth and impact. The city has also hosted major international events such as the 16th ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information Meeting, Da Nang Meet 2024, and the 2025 Forum of Friendship and Cooperation Cities, thereby boosting its international standing and expanding practical cooperation opportunities.
In a report presented at the event, Nguyen Xuan Binh, Director of the municipal Department of Foreign Affairs, stated that Da Nang has identified international integration and cooperation as one of the key drivers to overcome challenges and promote sustainable development.
He emphasised that maintaining a diverse network of partnerships, attracting high-quality FDI projects, and promoting new initiatives such as the International Financial Centre, a free trade zone, and cooperation programmes in science and technology, education, healthcare, and tourism have laid a solid foundation for Da Nang’s sustainable development.
Orientation for 2025–2030
Entering the 2025–2030 period, Da Nang continues to view international integration as a strategic motivation, in line with the Politburo’s Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW.
The city aims to reinforce its role as the economic, political, and cultural hub of the central region; develop into an international financial centre and free trade zone; widely promote the cultural identity of the city; and build a high-quality workforce to meet the demands of globalisation.
To realise these goals, Da Nang will focus on enhancing research and forecasting capacity to anticipate trends in cooperation and investment, prioritise economic integration as the core driver by synchronously implementing strategic projects. The city also plans to maximise the role of the Nam Giang–Dak Ta Ooc international border gate as a key trade corridor, and continue promoting its heritage and hosting regional and international events. It plans to use these “soft bridges” to foster people-to-people exchanges and position the new Da Nang brand on the global map.
Da Nang emphasises a people-centred approach to international integration, with every citizen expected to serve as an “ambassador of integration” through friendliness, openness, and active engagement in international exchanges and cooperation.
On this occasion, 18 domestic and international organisations and individuals were presented with certificates of merit for their outstanding contributions to the city’s international cooperation and integration efforts during 2021–2025./.
