Da Nang taps into wellness tourism with pristine natural assets

No longer simply vacation trips, tourism today is shifting toward healing experiences. Travelers turn to nature not just to admire it, but to slow down, feel, and reconnect with themselves. Untouched spaces, minimally affected by urbanization, are becoming a kind of “mental remedy”, helping people regenerate energy after the pressures of modern life.

Amid growing demand for nature-based retreats, many localities in Da Nang are orienting their tourism development toward eco-tourism while preserving landscapes.

Coastal forests, western mountainous areas, and rivers flowing through rural villages are regarded as valuable ecological assets that require careful exploitation to ensure harmony between economic growth and environmental protection.

Mr. Pham Thanh Tung, an advisor and designer in eco-tourism and agricultural tourism, noted that the rising interest in wellness tourism reflects a shift in how people perceive health and well-being. After decades of economic growth and industrialization, both physical and mental healthcare are gaining increasing importance.

“Wellness tourism is not simply a vacation. It is a journey to help people restore their life energy. In well-preserved ecological spaces, tourists can hike in the forest, meditate, breathe fresh air, and enjoy clean food. These seemingly simple experiences carry great value for health in today's high-pressure life” Mr. Tung said.

In recent years, Mr. Tung has been involved in supporting the development of eco-tourism in the Dai Binh Fruit Village in Nong Son Commune. In addition, he currently serves as an advisor, designer, and organizer of the “Legend of Ngoc Linh Ginseng” experiential tour in Tra Tap Commune.

The tour takes tourists to the southwestern mountainous region of former Quang Nam Province, featuring a number of nature-based activities such as forest trekking, learning about indigenous medicinal herbs, and cloud hunting at the Tak Po - a destination that has recently gained popularity.

According to Mr. Tung, nature-based tourism models must be built on the foundation of ecosystem conservation and respect for local community life. When nature is well preserved, these ecological areas can become long-term destinations for those seeking tranquility.

“Beaches still untouched by crowds, misty forest trails, and high mountains where clouds drift slowly are gradually becoming spaces for slow travel. There, just walking along a small path or sitting quietly by the sea at dawn, visitors can feel a deep sense of peace and regain their balance” he added.

However, to develop this type of tourism effectively, a balance between exploitation and conservation is essential. Without proper direction, “healing” destinations can easily become commercialized and lose their inherent tranquility. Therefore, the development of such tourism products must go hand in hand with environmental protection and the preservation of natural spaces.