Head of the Japanese General Consulate, Yakabe Yoshinori (third from right) joins a photo session with Japanese visitors and Đà Nẵng tourism department's representatives on the reopening of direct Narita, Japan-Đà Nẵng air route. Vietnam Airlines officially resumed the flight after a two-year hiatus. VNS Photo Công Thành

ĐÀ NẴNG — On March 26, Vietnam Airlines (VNA) resumed its direct flight service between Đà Nẵng and Tokyo's Narita Airport, with a flight carrying 180 tourists from Japan to the central city.

The two-year suspension of this flight due to COVID-19 has now ended, which is expected to lead to a full recovery of tourism in the city and growth from the Japanese tourism market.

In celebration of the return of Japanese tourists to Đà Nẵng, VNA presented three lucky Japanese tourists with return tickets on the flight.

VNA will operate four flights per week from March 26 to June 30 and increase the number to seven flights per week from July 1 to boost investment, trade, and tourism between Japan and central Việt Nam.

The resumption of this flight is part of the 2023-27 promotion and cooperation agreement signed by VNA and the central city. Since the city opened its doors to tourism in March last year, VNA has operated seven out of eight domestic and three international routes connecting Đà Nẵng and global destinations.

Nguyễn Xuân Bình, Vice Director of the city's tourism department, stated that Japan is a key market for the city's tourism. Since last March, 27,000 Japanese tourists have visited the city. Currently, Đà Nẵng has 24 direct air routes, of which 16 are international, hosting an average of 100 and 112 flights per day.

Tourism promotion

Visitors attend a launch ceremony of music video Fantasticity Đà Nẵng – composed by musician and singer ONLY C, promoting Đà Nẵng city’s tourism and destinations through music. Photo courtesy of Đà Nẵng Tourism Promotion Centre

The tourism promotion centre of Đà Nẵng city has partnered with Sunrise Group Asia (Sunrise Đà Nẵng) company to boost tourism between the city and Japan. They will update tourism products and services, as well as provide information on destinations in Đà Nẵng through two social networks - Danang Fantasticity and Sunrise Danang - to all cities in Japan.

According to a report from the department, the number of Japanese tourists visiting Đà Nẵng has been experiencing an annual average growth of 15 to 20 per cent. In addition to the social network campaign, Đà Nẵng has also opened liaison offices in Tokyo and Yokohama to further enhance tourism, trade, and investment between the two localities. Last year, Japan opened a Consulate General in Đà Nẵng to boost tourism and exchanges.

To promote tourism in the upcoming summer season, a music video called "Fantasticity Đà Nẵng," composed by musician and singer ONLY C, has been released. The video showcases pristine white sand beaches, mountains, and river views, iconic bridges spanning over the Hàn River, as well as unique food. Other songs and music videos promoting Đà Nẵng's tourism, such as "Đà Nẵng Miss You" by musician Lê Cát Trọng Lý, "Take You Away" by Jay Quân and Rapper Chị Cả, and "Hello Đà Nẵng," have also been produced.

Last year, Đà Nẵng hosted 3.7 million tourists, and these efforts are expected to continue to boost tourism between the city and Japan. — VNS