Hanoi (VNA) – World-leading airline Emirates has officially launched the Dubai – Da Nang route with four flights weekly, bringing high-end international travellers and new potential markets from the Middle East to the coastal city.
On June 2, the Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in partnership with Emirates Airline, Danang International Terminal Investment and Operation JSC (AHT), and Sun Group, hosted a welcoming ceremony for the inaugural flight, EK370, from Dubai to Da Nang (transiting in Bangkok). The event marked the official presence of Emirates, the world’s best international airline as recognised by Forbes Travel Guide 2025, in Da Nang.
This air route not only promotes tourism development but also opens up opportunities for trade, investment, and cultural exchanges, helping to further spread Da Nang’s image to the world under the message: ‘Discover the stories of Danang’, said Director of the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Truong Thi Hong Hanh.Flight EK370 touched down at Da Nang International Airport at 7:50 pm the same day, carrying 333 international passengers aboard a Boeing 777 wide-body aircraft offering three cabin classes. This inaugural flight kicks off Emirates’ scheduled operations on the Dubai – Bangkok – Da Nang route, which will run every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.
At the launch, Tran Chi Cuong, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee, called the route a milestone in the city’s international integration efforts, significantly enhancing its global air connectivity. With Emirates’ network spanning more than 140 destinations worldwide, the route shortens the travel time between Da Nang and key markets such as the Middle East, Europe, North America, and Africa, creating new momentum for tourism while opening doors for trade, investment, and cultural exchanges.
Since early 2023, Da Nang had prioritised the development of a direct air link to Dubai. In January that year, a city delegation led by People’s Committee Chairman Le Trung Chinh held a working session with Orhan Abbas, Emirates’ Senior Vice President for the Far East and Commercial Division, and other key representatives at the airline’s headquarters in Dubai.
Following two years of engagement, an Emirates delegation led by Salem Ghanem Al Marri, Manager of Route Planning and Analysis, visited Da Nang in January 2025. The team met with local officials, airport authorities, and representatives from Sun Group and also conducted on-site assessments for the Dubai – Da Nang connection.
Nguyen Vu Quynh Anh, Deputy CEO of Sun Group and CEO of Sun Hospitality & Entertainment Group, expressed pride in supporting Emirates’ expansion to Da Nang, a city where Sun Group has pioneered iconic tourism investments from the beginning. She said she believes this new route will open a gateway for Da Nang to welcome premium travellers and those from new but highly potential markets the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas, bringing them closer to the city’s rich culture and natural charm, as well as the world-class resort and entertainment ecosystem that Sun Group is developing.
Sun Group has developed an internationally acclaimed tourism ecosystem in Da Nang, tailored to the needs of even the most demanding travellers. Highlights include Sun World Ba Na Hills with its iconic Golden Bridge, and the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, named the world’s top luxury resort for three consecutive years. This ecosystem also features top-tier hotels operated by Accor, the world’s leading hospitality group. As a destination partner of the Michelin Guide, Sun Group has helped bring the prestigious culinary guide to Vietnam and Da Nang, showcasing the Vietnamese cuisine on the global stage. Future developments will further enhance the city’s appeal and visitor experience, with plans including the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) and a hotel complex with over 2,000 rooms in Ba Na.
To better serve Middle Eastern travellers arriving via Emirates, Quynh Anh noted that Sun Group’s establishments in Da Nang have already introduced tailored amenities such as halal restaurants and dedicated prayer rooms at Ba Na Hills. The group also intends to collaborate closely with Emirates to co-market Da Nang and offer exclusive packages to Emirates passengers, expanding the city’s reach across the airline’s extensive global network.
Nabil Sultan, Emirates’ Executive Vice President for Passenger Sales and Country Management, noted with Da Nang’s unique combination of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and growing economic potential, the airline is proud to offer world-class products and services to connect the city with Dubai and Bangkok. He thanked the Vietnamese Government, Da Nang International Airport, and tourism authorities for their support and enthusiasm, saying he believes in Da Nang’s rising appeal and looks forward to connecting travellers and businesses to this distinctive destination./.
