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DNO - Da Nang and Australia’s Gold Coast are exploring the possibility of establishing a direct air route as part of efforts to expand cooperation in tourism, education, investment and other areas.
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The idea was discussed on November 5 during a meeting between a Da Nang delegation led by Mr. Ngo Xuan Thang, Deputy Secretary of the municipal Party Committee, and the Gold Coast authorities.
The delegation also included Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Ho Quang Buu and representatives of relevant departments. The meeting was part of Da Nang’s working visit to Australia.
The meeting marked the highest-level direct engagement by a Da Nang delegation in Gold Coast since the two cities signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on friendship and cooperation on June 11, 2020.
Welcoming the Da Nang delegation, Mr. Tom Tate, Mayor of the Gold Coast, has been recalled key milestones in bilateral relations, including the first visit to Da Nang in 2019 and the signing of the MoU the following year.
Both cities are dynamic coastal destinations with strong tourism sectors, attractive living environments, friendly communities and ambitions to develop through science, technology and innovation.
The Gold Coast hopes to further strengthen the relationship and translate cooperation priorities into practical initiatives.
Mr. Ngo Xuan Thang thanked the Gold Coast authorities for their warm welcome. Da Nang’s expanded development space, together with special mechanisms for its Free Trade Zone, the Vietnam International Financial Center in Da Nang and emerging technology industries, is creating favorable conditions for international cooperation and the attraction of high-quality resources.
The central Vietnamese city aims to move beyond maintaining friendly ties and identify concrete, achievable programs and projects that build on the strengths of both cities.
Da Nang proposed five priority areas for cooperation: tourism, aviation and people-to-people exchanges; education, training and human resource development; investment, trade, healthcare and wellness; smart urban development, environmental protection and renewable energy; and disaster management and climate change adaptation.
A direct Gold Coast - Da Nang route was discussed as a potential way to connect the two coastal tourism destinations, enable visitors to combine both cities in one trip and serve international students and families traveling between the two locations.
Such a connection could help generate passenger demand in both directions. Da Nang welcomed this idea. According to the city’s tourism sector, 376,981 Australian visitors arrived in Da Nang in the first nine months of 2026, up 43.86% year on year.
The figures point to potential for further growth in the Australian market, while the feasibility of a direct route would require further assessment of market demand and airlines’ operating plans.
In education, Mr. Ngo Xuan Thang called for stronger cooperation in English-language training, particularly for English teachers and educators able to teach mathematics and science in English. He also proposed expanding high-quality workforce training in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, science and technology, and digital transformation.
The Gold Coast expressed interest in two-way exchanges involving students, officials, language learning and professional expertise.
Mayor Tom Tate introduced the Gold Coast Health & Knowledge Precinct, which brings together educational institutions, hospitals, research organizations and businesses.
The precinct focuses on research and development, clinical trials, investment attraction and commercialization, offering potential cooperation in healthcare, medical science and services for older people.
The meeting also explored a complementary value-chain approach, with the Gold Coast partners contributing expertise in medical research and technology development, while Da Nang could undertake suitable manufacturing activities to help commercialize products.
The Gold Coast will consider potential sectors and businesses for collaboration and the possibility of organizing a business delegation to Da Nang to meet local partners and identify investment opportunities.
On disaster management, Mayor Tom Tate highlighted Gold Coast’s experience in flood modeling, storm forecasting, bushfire risk monitoring and the use of artificial intelligence to identify vulnerable areas.
The Australian city expressed readiness to share information, expertise and technological solutions, and proposed an in-depth visit to the Gold Coast Disaster & Emergency Management Center when circumstances allow.
Also at the meeting, Mr. Vu Quang Hung, Head of the Da Nang Specific Economic Zones Authority (DSEZA) briefed the Gold Coast delegation on a planned event on November 28, 2026, to announce the Da Nang Master Plan and promote investment. He invited the Gold Coast businesses to attend, explore Da Nang’s investment environment and discuss potential partnerships.
Mr. Vu Quang Hung also proposed that the two cities consider expanding their 2020 MoU to include cooperation in science and technology, high-tech industries, the Free Trade Zone and Da Nang’s industrial and economic development areas.
He emphasized the importance of connecting research institutes and universities with businesses to support investment, technology transfer and commercialization.
Meanwhile, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee Ho Quang Buu said the central Vietnamese city was keen to work with the Gold Coast partners on research and technology applications, advanced processing and the development of high-value healthcare products.
It also seeks to exchange expertise in the marine economy, environmental protection and disaster prevention.
Following the discussions, Mayor Tom Tate proposed that the two cities jointly review the 2020 MoU and identify ways to strengthen cooperation, with priority given to aviation, healthcare, high technology and medical research.
He said relevant agencies should continue working together to identify suitable sectors, partners and implementation mechanisms.
Mr. Ngo Xuan Thang assigned the Da Nang Department of Foreign Affairs to coordinate with the Gold Coast. Agencies from both cities will continue discussions on a possible supplementary annex to the MoU, connect relevant authorities and business communities, and develop specific cooperation programs for consideration by their leaders. The Da Nang delegation also invited Mayor Tom Tate to visit the city.
He expressed interest in connecting Da Nang with the Gold Coast businesses and investors genuinely interested in exploring partnership opportunities during a future visit.
The proposals provide a foundation for Da Nang and the Gold Coast to further translate their longstanding friendship into practical, mutually beneficial and sustainable cooperation.