Direct connections with major economic and trade centers such as Dubai (UAE) and Busan (Korea) are not only good news for the aviation industry but also open up golden opportunities for trade and tourism development and enhancing cultural exchanges for the whole region.
Da Nang welcomes more Middle Eastern and global visitors
Da Nang International Airport is bustling to welcome the first flight with the number of EK370 of Emirates Airlines, departing from Dubai on June 2. This event marks an important turning point, making Da Nang the third destination in Vietnam, after Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, operated by one of the world's leading airlines.
As soon as the modern Boeing 777, carrying 333 international passengers, made landfall, a solemn dragon hoses spraying ceremony was performed. The first guests from the "land of a thousand strangels a night" and transitional countries were warmly welcomed with special national art performances, along with fresh flowers and meaningful souvenirs. This is a way for Da Nang to express hospitality, while promoting the image of a safe, friendly and attractive destination.
With a frequency of 4 flights/week, the Dubai - Da Nang route not only makes it easy for tourists from the Middle East to get to the beautiful coastal city but also connects Da Nang with the Emirates' extensive global flight network.
Ms. Truong Thi Hong Hanh, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Da Nang City, shared: "To be ready to welcome visitors from the Middle East and new markets with high spending, we have closely coordinated with relevant units to complete facilities and improve service quality. In particular, in-depth training, training on culture, customs and service processes suitable for the Middle East tourist market has been focused on".
Ms. Hanh also emphasized that the city's tourism industry is actively connecting, supporting businesses to exchange visitors, developing the market through this route, aiming for the goal of sustainable and effective exploitation, promoting two-way growth of visitors.
Nha Trang accelerates to attract Korean tourists
A day earlier, on June 1, at Cam Ranh International Airport (Khanh Hoa), Vietnam Airlines in coordination with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Khanh Hoa province also held the opening ceremony of the direct flight connecting Nha Trang and Busan - the second largest port city of Korea. The first flight, number VN435, on a modern Airbus A321neo, brought 186 passengers from Busan to the coastal city of Nha Trang.
Similar to Da Nang, the water spraying ceremony to welcome the plane, give souvenirs and traditional art performances has created a cozy, friendly atmosphere, leaving a good impression on international tourists.
Nha Trang - Busan route is exploited by Vietnam Airlines with daily frequency, using Airbus A321 aircraft. The establishment of this direct aviation bridge not only shortens the gap between the two famous sea tourism centers of Vietnam and Korea but also opens a great opportunity for Khanh Hoa in particular and the South Central region in general to attract stronger guests from the land of kimchi. This is the most important international market of Vietnam's tourism, and especially in Khanh Hoa, Korean tourists account for nearly 50% of the total international visitors.
In the first 4 months of 2025 alone, Khanh Hoa welcomed more than 812,800 Korean visitors, an increase of 6.5% over the same period last year. At the same time, Vietnam Airlines has also transported more than 479,500 passengers on routes between Vietnam and Korea, demonstrating the increasingly strong growth of trade and tourism demand between the two countries.
The consecutive launch of new international routes in the Central region is a positive signal, affirming the region's increasingly increasing position on the international tourism and economic map, promising breakthrough developments in the coming time.
