Air connectivity fuels Da Nang’s growth ambitions

Expanding the city’s air network is expected not only to attract more visitors but also to support MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) tourism, cargo transportation, business connections and investor engagement, contributing to trade growth and investment attraction.

Diversifying markets and expanding connectivity

Da Nang’s air network has continued to grow, with the restoration and launch of more international routes and stronger connections through regional aviation hubs.

In 2025, the city expanded its links with the Middle East, notably Dubai, as well as Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan (China), the Republic of Korea (RoK), Myanmar and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The resumption of the Shenzhen - Da Nang route has also created additional opportunities to attract visitors from China.

As of November 2026, Da Nang had 27 routes in operation, including 19 regular international routes connecting the city with key markets such as the RoK, Japan, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

According to forecasts by Da Nang International Terminal Investment and Operation Joint Stock Company (AHT) and airlines, the winter flight schedule at Terminal 2, covering the period from October 25, 2026 to March 27, 2027, is expected to include 23,016 international flights, including 11,505 arrivals.

This represents an increase of 3,792 flights, or 19.7 percent, compared with the winter season of 2025.

Alongside increased flight frequencies, a number of new scheduled and charter services are expected to come into operation. These include routes from Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Hong Kong (China) and Russia, further broadening Da Nang’s international air connectivity.

According to Mr. Cao Tri Dung, Chairman of the Da Nang Tourism Association, expanding air routes should go hand in hand with improving operational efficiency, maintaining stable frequencies and diversifying source markets to avoid over-reliance on traditional visitor markets.

In addition to direct flights, Da Nang should make better use of transit networks through Bangkok (Thailand), Singapore, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Dubai (the UAE) and Hong Kong (China) to reach long-haul markets, particularly Europe, India, Indonesia and the Middle East.

For sustainable route development, the tourism sector, associations and businesses need to work closely with airlines to promote destinations, develop tourism products and attract visitors in both directions.

During 2026 - 2030, expanding the air network is expected to serve not only tourism but also MICE travel, investment promotion, cargo transportation and logistics, providing further momentum for the city's economic growth.

Strengthening strategic partnerships

In addition to supporting tourism, air connectivity creates favorable conditions for attracting MICE groups, international business travelers and investors.

These visitors generate demand for accommodation, conferences and events while creating opportunities for market research, business meetings and partnership development.

As of October 2026, the city had provided consultation and welcomed 212 MICE groups, with a combined total of 67,037 visitors. Of these, 37,917 were international MICE visitors and 29,120 were domestic travelers.

Under the 2026 MICE visitor attraction program coordinated with the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, international MICE groups mainly came from India, the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Attracting large-scale MICE groups requires close coordination among airlines, accommodation providers, convention centers and tourism service businesses.

The growing demand for international business connections is also reflected in the city’s investment promotion and business networking activities.

The Da Nang Investment Promotion Conference 2026 attracted more than 500 domestic and international businesses and investors.

Meanwhile, the Da Nang International Travel Mart 2026 brought together more than 300 suppliers, 150 international buyers, 400 domestic buyers and over 1,500 delegates and visitors.

The event recorded more than 7,000 business networking meetings. Air cargo capacity is also being expanded to strengthen the city’s role in regional logistics.

In 2025, cargo throughput at Da Nang International Airport reached 41,561 tons, up 21 percent from the previous year.

A new cargo terminal is expected to have a designed capacity of 100,000 tons per year, helping enhance air logistics, support import and export activities and improve supply chain connectivity in central Vietnam.

In 2026, Da Nang signed cooperation agreements with Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet for the 2026 - 2030 period, with a focus on attracting more visitors and expanding trade links.

The parties will work together to study new routes, improve flight operations, promote the city's image and develop tourism products in areas such as MICE, resort holidays, golf, culture and cuisine.

At the signing ceremony for the comprehensive cooperation agreement between the Da Nang People’s Committee and Vietjet for 2026 - 2030, municipal Vice Chairwoman of the Da Nang People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Anh Thi highlighted aviation as an important driver of socio-economic development, particularly in tourism, investment, trade and international integration.

The expanded aviation partnerships reflected the city’s determination to strengthen connectivity, reach new markets, enhance its competitiveness as a destination and advance its development goals in the coming years.