Da Nang tourism posts strong growth despite global headwinds

Despite concerns over geopolitical instability in the Middle East and rising fuel prices, the central coastal Vietnamese city’s tourism sector has recorded impressive gains.

Strong first-quarter visitor growth

As recently reported, visitor arrivals to Da Nang maintained solid momentum in the first quarter of 2026. According to Mr. Vuong Dinh Manh, General Manager of La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa, it has consistently recorded occupancy rates above 90% since the beginning of the year, reaching 95 - 97% on some weekends.

“This is the peak season for international travellers, so demand has remained stable. While there have been a few cancellations due to global uncertainties, the numbers are minimal and have not significantly affected overall operations”, Manh noted.

La Siesta Hoi An, with 137 rooms, primarily serves guests from European and Asian markets. These segments tend to book well in advance, helping the business mitigate risks amid market volatility.

Alongside La Siesta, a broader survey of hotels across Da Nang points to a fairly uniform rise in occupancy rates, reinforcing the city’s growing appeal as well as that of nearby destinations across Central Vietnam.

The surge in arrivals is equally visible at major attractions, from the city center to the Marble Mountains, Hoi An Ancient Town and the My Son Sanctuary.

In Hoi An, more than 455,000 entrance tickets had been sold as of March 23, 2026, a marked year-on-year increase. While the ratio of ticketed visitors to total footfall has yet to fully align, the upward trajectory nevertheless underscores the sector’s sustained recovery and expansion.

According to Tran Hoai Nguyen, Deputy Director of Saigontourist’s Da Nang branch, the forward-booking nature of most international tours has helped shield service prices from immediate fuel-related pressures. As a result, tour programs have proceeded largely as scheduled, providing a stable foundation for visitor flows.

Furthermore, the opening of new international routes, improved service quality, reasonable prices, and guaranteed security and safety are important factors that help Da Nang continue to attract tourists.

“Although certain source markets have been affected by geopolitical tensions and rising costs, overall arrivals to Da Nang remain strong. At Saigontourist, for instance, visitor numbers have risen by approximately 50% year-on-year,” Nguyen noted.

Anticipating and overcoming challenges

As revealed by the Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, accommodation establishments in the city served nearly 2.5 million visitors in the first two months of 2026, marking an 11% year-on-year increase.

Of the total, international arrivals were estimated at nearly 1.5 million, up 16.6%, while domestic visitors reached more than 949,000, a modest rise of 2.5%.

These figures are expected to continue climbing through at least the end of April 2026, aligning with the peak season for international travel.

Against the broader backdrop of Vietnam’s tourism sector, Da Nang is emerging as a standout performer, posting both rapid and steady growth.

Recent achievements not only highlight the destination’s enduring appeal but also reflect the concerted efforts of local authorities and businesses in adapting to an evolving global landscape.

That said, sustaining this momentum amid increasingly complex international dynamics will require proactive and coordinated action.

In fact, tourism experts and businesses remain cautious about external uncertainties, particularly the potential impact of elevated fuel prices and possible flight reductions.

The tourism sector and related enterprises will continue refine strategies, enhance regional linkages, and remain agile in response to external shocks. Only through such measures can Da Nang navigate emerging challenges and secure long-term, sustainable growth.