Da Nang people and cultural diplomacy
DNO - Diplomatic activity at both national and local levels is built on three pillars: political, economic, and cultural diplomacy. Among them, cultural diplomacy is seen as the spiritual foundation and is gaining importance.
Heritage as a valuable cultural resource
Previously, both former Da Nang and Quang Nam advanced in preserving their shared cultural identity while expanding international cultural diplomacy. A key achievement was the successful promotion of local heritage for UNESCO recognition.
Together, Da Nang now holds Hoi An ancient town and My Son Sanctuary as tangible cultural heritages, Bai Choi as an intangible heritage, the Inscriptions at the Marble Mountains as a documentary heritage, Hoi An as a UNESCO Creative City in Crafts and Folk Art, and the Cham Islands Biosphere Reserve.
These titles enhance the region’s global reputation, strengthen tourism appeal, and support cultural exchange, an important form of cultural diplomacy.
The 2024 UNESCO recognition of Vietnam’s Nine Dynastic Urns also indirectly helped promote Da Nang - Quang Nam’s cultural and natural heritage internationally.
Another achievement in cultural diplomacy was Da Nang and Quang Nam’s active role in major international cultural and sports events such as the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival, International Marathon, IRONMAN 70.3 Vietnam, Da Nang Asian Film Festival, Asia Golf Festival, the Vietnam - UK “Red Dream” Football Festival, the Vietnam - Japan and Vietnam - Korea Festivals, the International Yoga Festival, and the Quang Nam International Kite Festival.
The participation of Da Nang in the 35th ITI World Congress in Spain (2017) and China’s National Reading Conference in Kunming (2024) were valuable opportunities to strengthen cultural exchange and introduce Da Nang to the world.
Embracing digital and artistic innovation
Da Nang has advanced cultural diplomacy by combining information technology and creative arts. The city has screened local and Vietnamese films at DANAFF from 2023 to 2025 and regularly hosts performances for the Vietnam - Japan and Vietnam - Korea festivals, while also sending art troupes abroad.
A major step was the 2022 MoU between the Da Nang Union of Literature and Arts Associations and the Daegu Arts and Culture Association (South Korea), launching annual artist exchanges. Da Nang visited Daegu in 2023, presenting traditional performances including the Co Tu flute piece “Call of the Forest”, the Cham dance “Variation from an Ancient Statue”, and a Vietnamese rendition of “Arirang”. Daegu artists visited Da Nang in 2024 for joint performances and an exhibition at APEC Park.
APEC Park itself symbolises cultural diplomacy, featuring sculptures such as South Korea’s “The Beginning” and Vietnam’s “Origin”, reflecting shared creativity and cooperation.
Da Nang aims to deepen cultural diplomacy by embracing global culture but preserving local identity, with every citizen encouraged to act as a “cultural ambassador” for the city.