Da Nang (VNA) – Given Vietnam’s upcoming role hosting the World EconomicForum on ASEAN (WEF ASEAN) during September 11-13, the central city of Da Nang ismaking every effort to promote its potential and strength to the world’sleading partners and businesses.

The city is thegateway into both Vietnam’s Central and Central Highlands provinces and countriesin the Mekong sub-region to the East Sea, as well as the final destination ofthe East-West Economic Corridor.

Over the past fewyears, the locality’s gross domestic products (GDP) grew stably, at about 9percent each year, 1.5 times higher than the national rate.

The servicesector made up 53 percent of the local GDP in 2017; industry, 33 percent; andagriculture, 2 percent.

The cityaccommodates more than 22,000 businesses, 59 commercial centres and supermarkets,689 hotels and resorts, and 10 industrial parks.

In order toattract quality investment projects and materialise development orientations,Da Nang is currently building a high-tech zone and an IT zone, as well asworking on planning schemes for Software Park No. 2 and a second IT zone.

Da NangInternational Airport is Vietnam’s third largest international airport with 28direct overseas routes and 199 flights per week.

The city hasselected 2018 as its year of investment promotion in an effort to maximise onits advantages and create a breakthrough in socio-economic development.Therefore, since the beginning of this year, the city has made constant effortsto seize opportunities in investment attraction, with priority given tohigh-tech and clean production technologies, gearing towards green growth.

Along withoffering incentives regarding corporate income tax and land lease to investors,the locality has issued specific preferential policies towards the supportingindustry, software export, startup network, and trade promotion.

In August 2018,Da Nang was given the title of NationalGreen City 2017-18 by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)’s One Planet CityChallenge programme, making it onto a list of 21 cities from around the world.

The central city submitted a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissionsby 25 percent in 2016, along with plans for solar power development, biofueluse, bus rapid transit (BRT) routes, and wastewater treatment.

According to Huynh Duc Tho, Chairman of the municipal People’sCommittee, the WEF ASEAN offers a chance for Da Nang to introduce policies thatreflect its willingness, transparency, and equality in investment attraction withdomestic and foreign partners.

Currently, the city is focusing on the three spearhead sectors ofhigh-tech, IT, and tourism services.

Statistics from the municipal Department of Information andCommunications show that around 20,000 people are working in the IT sector inDa Nang, significantly contributing to promoting the development of softwaretechnology in the city. 

Many high-quality international trainingprogrammes have been implemented in Da Nang, meeting the demand of domestic andforeign software firms. 

Da Nang is now home to nearly 700 IT enterprises, mainly specialising insoftware producing and outsourcing , which makes up 43 percent of these firms;IT product distribution and sale at 29 percent; electronics and hardwareassembly and manufacturing, 7 percent; digital content production and supply, 5percent; and other IT-related services making up for 6 percent. 

In 2017, the city’s information andcommunications sector maintained a stable growth pattern, with total revenuehitting 21.75 trillion VND, 3.5 percent higher than the yearly target and ayear-on-year increase of 9 percent.

In particular, the information technology sector(software technology and digital content) earned 14.4 trillion VND. Itssoftware export revenue reached 67 million USD, up 15 percent against2016. 

According to the municipal Department ofStatistics, the IT sector contributed about 5.4 percent of the local GDP in theyear. 

In 2017, the city welcomed more than 6.6 million tourists, of whom 37percent were foreign arrivals.

The city has successfully hosted various international events like theDa Nang International Fireworks Festival, the Asia Golf Tourism Convention, theLJ International  Lighting Festival, theAsian Beach Games, the Clipper World Yacht Race, as well as many others. Mostsignificantly, it also hosted the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in 2017 withresounding success.

Da Nang is famous for its beautiful landscapes, especially the beaches.Visitors can admire the natural wonders in Ba Na Hills, explore the jungle inSon Tra Peninsula, and contemplate Vietnam’s tallest Bodhisattva Statue at 67mat Linh Ung Pagoda.

Recently, the online marketplace and hospitality service Airbnbannounced a list of the world’s top 10 destinations for 2018, in which Da Nangranked fifth with a booking surge of up to 255 percent. – VNA