Vietnam's summer spectacle: Da Nang and Cat Ba attract visitors!

Vietnam's summer spectacle: Da Nang and Cat Ba attract visitors!

The Vietnamese tourism sector has experienced a remarkable boom since the beginning of May 2025. In May there were over 15.5 million visitors, including 1.5 million international tourists, an increase of 10.5% compared to the previous year. Around 14 million of these visitors came from within the country and accounted for 9 million overnight stays in accommodation establishments in the country. The increasing interest in beach destinations, islands and tourist attractions can be attributed to the variety of summer events, including the high-profile Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF 2025) and other festivals that characterize the holiday season.

In particular, DIFF 2025, which runs from May 31 to July 31, is a highlight. During this period, Da Nang topped hotel booking searches nationwide, with room occupancy rates approaching 80%. The event attracts not only national but also international attention and promotes the region's entire tourism infrastructure.

Expansion of the range of events

To attract even more visitors, Da Nang is planning a comprehensive "summer festival ecosystem" that includes art exhibitions, film festivals and sporting events. These initiatives could further increase already high demand. Nearby Cat Ba also saw a surge in visitor numbers at the start of June. Crowded piers, hotels and coastal resorts reflect a busy crowd. Cat Ba also offers nighttime experiences, including the Green Island Symphony show and an impressive fireworks display at sea.

Although the target of four million visitors per year in Cat Ba has not yet been reached, the positive developments in the region show promising renewal. Ha Nam has also established itself as a new fireworks destination, offering weekly fireworks shows until the end of August, benefiting nightlife and tourism.

Da Nang's highlights and central role

Phu Quoc remains the epitome of leisure tourism in Vietnam, with the spectacular light, fire and water art show “Kiss of the Sea” also helping to extend visitors’ length of stay. Fireworks have established themselves as an important part of night tourism and increase the length of stay of tourists, which has a positive impact on the entire economy.

In addition to DIFF 2025, Da Nang is enjoying increasing popularity among international guests, according to an analysis of DIFF 2024, where the city welcomed over 5.1 million overnight guests in the first half of 2024. This represents an increase of over 40% in the number of international tourists. Accommodation, dining and travel services revenue generated during this period was nearly VND16,344 trillion, an increase of 28.2% year-on-year.

The International Fireworks Festival is one of the largest of its kind and attracts teams from many countries. DIFF 2024, which took place from June 8 to July 13, brought together guests from France, Germany, Italy, the USA, Poland, China, Finland and Vietnam. Finland triumphed in the final and took first place.

Da Nang has a variety of tourist accommodation options, with 1,297 facilities and a total of 46,035 rooms. This is an increase from last year, underlining the city's efforts to further consolidate its position as a leading tourist destination. These investments in the tourism sector aim to attract over 8 million overnight guests in 2024, representing an increase of 6% compared to 2023. The economic and social visions for 2030 and 2045 ensure that Da Nang is on track to become a major economic and innovation center in the region.

Overall, Vietnamese tourism shows a dynamic development that is not only limited to Reykjavík, but also has far-reaching effects on the local and national environment. Organizing festivals and increasing tourism infrastructure are essential steps to promote sustainability and growth in tourism.