In 2026, New air routes to bring more visitors to Da Nang
DNO - In 2025, Da Nang’s tourism sector continued to gain remarkable achievements, contributing significantly to the city’s economic growth in the post-merger period. In an effort to create new breakthroughs, Da Nang has continuously expanded its aviation network by launching new air routes, directly connecting the city with domestic and international destinations.
In 2025, Da Nang recorded a sharp increase in tourist arrivals compared with previous years. The number of visitors staying at local accommodation establishments was estimated at more than 17.3 million, up 15% year-on-year. Of this total, international arrivals were over 7.6 million, a rise of 25%, while domestic visitors reached nearly 9.7 million, up 8% compared to 2024. Revenue from accommodation, food services and travel generated an estimated VND 60 trillion, a 21% year-on-year increase.
Alongside the growing influx of visitors, the city concentrated on expanding air routes to fully tap potential markets worldwide. In 2025, the total number of flight arrivals to Da Nang stood at over 48,000, up 12.4% against 2024. Of these, international flights accounted for over 20,200, up 6.7%, while domestic flights (to Da Nang and Chu Lai airports) reached nearly 28,000, up 16.9%.
According to the Da Nang Tourism Promotion Center, the city currently has 26 domestic and international air routes. The domestic network comprises eight routes connecting Da Nang with Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Noi, Nha Trang, Buon Ma Thuot, Hai Phong, Can Tho, Da Lat, and Phu Quoc.
Da Nang International Airport serves eight routes, while Chu Lai Airport operates two routes to Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City. Average domestic frequency in 2025 was estimated at 76 flights per day, up about 11 flights per day from 2024.
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Internationally, Da Nang is connected by 18 routes linking the city with major destinations, including Bangkok (Thailand); Singapore; Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia); Taipei and Kaohsiung (Taiwan, China); Macau and Hong Kong (China); Siem Reap (Cambodia); Incheon, Busan, Daegu, and Cheongju (South Korea); Narita and Osaka (Japan); Manila (the Philippines); Ahmedabad (India); Yangon (Myanmar); and Dubai.
In 2025, the total number of flights to Da Nang exceeded 48,000, representing a 12.4% year-on-year increase. Of this total, international flights reached over 20,200, up 6.7%, while domestic flights were 28,000, a rise of 16.9%.
The average number of international flights to Da Nang stood at 56 per day, an increase of four flights per day compared to 2024.
The year also marked the launch of several new air routes from Yangon (Myanmar), the Dubai - Bangkok - Da Nang route, and three long-term charter services from Astana and Almaty (Kazakhstan), Tashkent (Uzbekistan), and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). Also, a number of previously suspended routes were restored, notably from Bangkok (Thailand) and Osaka (Japan) to Da Nang.
2025 also saw the entry of several new airlines operating flights to Da Nang, including Myanmar Airways, Philippines Airlines, Emirates, Scoot Airlines, and Parata Air.
Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Thien, Deputy Director of the Hai Van Cat International Travel Company, remarked the opening of new air routes has helped Da Nang reduce its reliance on traditional tourist markets, creating a more balanced and resilient tourism structure. It has also enabled the city to access emerging markets such as Russia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, while enhancing its international profile.
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In early October 2025, China Southern Airlines, one of China’s leading carriers, resumed operations on the Shenzhen - Da Nang route after a prolonged suspension. The move has been widely viewed as a positive signal for Da Nang’s tourism sector, particularly in efforts to reattract visitors from China in the coming period.
According to Mr. Ho The Anh, General Director of the Da Nang International Terminal Investment and Operation Joint Stock Company (AHT), the presence of China Southern Airlines on the Shenzhen - Da Nang route is expected to serve as a powerful catalyst. Shenzhen, one of the world’s leading economic and technology hubs, will help open up major opportunities to attract additional flows of leisure and business travelers.
Beyond tourism, the flights are also expected to carry experts and investors interested in exploring opportunities at the Da Nang Free Trade Zone and the International Financial Center. The new route acts as a bridge for trade and cultural exchange, contributing to shared development between Shenzhen and Da Nang.
“At present, we operate more than 330 domestic and international routes within and beyond China, connecting over 40 countries and territories worldwide. China Southern Airlines is rapidly expanding its hub network, linking Southeast Asia with Europe, the Americas and the global market. With the launch of the Shenzhen - Da Nang route, we are confident that this will help strengthen economic and tourism cooperation between the two sides” Ms. Mairehaba Yisilayili said.
Ms. Truong Thi Hong Hanh, Director of the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said that before 2020, China was one of Da Nang’s key international tourist markets, recording stable growth and consistently ranking second among international source markets. At that time, Da Nang was served by five regular routes and 29 charter flights from China. This market has long been assessed as one of the city’s most promising tourism sources.
“To attract and boost the number of Chinese visitors to Da Nang in the coming time, the tourism sector will work closely with authorities, tourism enterprises, travel agencies and airlines to improve product and service quality. We will develop diverse experiential tour programs under the theme ‘New Da Nang - New Experiences’ ensuring safety and friendliness, and standing ready to welcome an increasing number of Chinese visitors to explore and experience the city”.
Ms. Truong Thi Hong Hanh, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism
In 2026, Da Nang’s tourism sector plans to expand cooperation with airlines and strategic partners to increase flight frequencies and diversify air routes, including charter flights from Russia and countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
ANEX Vietnam, a pioneer in operating charter flights from CIS countries to Da Nang, said that in 2026 the company will step up its Russia - Da Nang charter services. According to the plan, charter routes will operate from April 1 - October 31, 2026, connecting with 14 cities namely Almaty, Astana, Blagoveshchensk, Ekaterinburg, Irkutsk, Kazan, Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk, Moscow, Novokuznetsk, Novosibirsk, Vladivostok, Samara and Minsk.
The flights will be operated by Azur Air and Vietjet Air, using wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 767, Boeing 777 and Airbus A330. The services are expected to operate at a frequency of around 70 flights per month, carrying approximately 13,000 passengers per month, with an average length of stay of 10 nights or more.
In Da Nang, Anex Vietnam will cooperate with more than 110 2-to-5-star hotels to allocate around 2,000 rooms per day throughout the operation period.
Popular attractions for tourists will include the Sun World Ba Na Hills, the Marble Mountains, the Son Tra Peninsula, the Golden Bridge, the Hoi An Ancient Town, and existing entertainment and recreation areas.
ANEX Tour Russia has also developed a marketing and communications plan for the Russian market, aimed at maximizing destination awareness from late November 2025 in preparation for the launch of Russia - Da Nang charter flights in the summer of 2026.
At the same time, the company is planning to organize fam trips, press trips and workshops for Russian travel agents and media representatives in Da Nang, with a view to strengthening promotion efforts and enhancing destination recognition across the Russian market in a more comprehensive manner.
Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hong Tham, Director of the Da Nang Tourism Promotion Center, emphasized that air transport remained the primary gateway for visitors to the city. Da Nang International Airport continues to serve as a strategic aviation hub, connecting major domestic centers such as Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Noi, Nha Trang, and Buon Ma Thuot.
During the peak travel period from December 2025 to February 2026, Da Nang is expected to handle an average of 140 - 142 flights per day, with a significant increase in passengers from South Korea, Japan, Singapore, and the Philippines due to strong demand during the Christmas and New Year holiday season. This period is considered a “golden window” for the city to implement promotional activities and connect with international markets.
The local tourism sector aims to open an additional one to two international routes to Chu Lai Airport, while maintaining and expanding its existing international flight network.
The city will also strengthen linkages between domestic and international routes to increase transit passenger numbers, particularly from Northeast Asia, a region experiencing rapid growth in both flight frequency and travel demand.
“The 2026 tourism stimulus program will be rolled out in close coordination with airlines, cruise operators and the railway sector. The purpose is to diversify transport options to Da Nang and boost the growth of both domestic and international visitor arrivals. Building on its aviation infrastructure and a multi-channel promotion strategy, the city is poised to position itself as a leading destination in Southeast Asia”.
By MAI DUNG - THANH HUYỀN