Da Nang city–an economic, cultural, and science and technology hub of Central Vietnam–has emerged as a model of local integration capability. Since the landmark APEC 2017 Leaders' Week, Da Nang has not only affirmed its position as a "livable city" but has also become a bright spot for international cooperation, acting as a vital bridge between Vietnam and APEC member economies.

Within Vietnam's extensive process of international integration, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum remains one of the foremost economic and trade cooperation mechanisms, bringing together 21 economies that account for over 60% of global GDP and nearly half of global trade. Beyond being a forum connecting global economies, APEC also provides a platform for localities to actively engage, enhance regional linkages, attract investment, expand cooperation, and integrate more deeply into regional value chains.

APEC 2017 Milestone – A launchpad for international cooperation

The APEC 2017 Leaders' Week, held in Da Nang, is considered a historical milestone, showcasing the resilience and integration capabilities of a dynamic young city. The event gathered over 11,000 delegates, 2,000 businesses, and 3,000 international journalists from 21 member economies. The organization was highly praised by major news agencies, including Reuters, BBC, NHK, and Yonhap, for its professionalism, safety, and effective communication.

More importantly, APEC 2017 provided a significant boost, projecting Da Nang's image to the world. Hundreds of international news reports highlighted the dynamic and friendly coastal city; tourist numbers increased by over 20% immediately following the event, and tourism, transportation, and service infrastructure received comprehensive investments. According to VOVWorld, in 2017 alone, Da Nang welcomed over 6.6 million visitors, nearly 1 million more than the previous year. Key infrastructure projects, such as the Ariyana Convention Center, the International Media Center, and the Son Tra-Dien Ngoc coastal road, have become long-term assets supporting the city's MICE and international conference development strategy.

The success of the APEC 2017 Leaders' Week not only elevated Da Nang's position but also opened up specific cooperation opportunities with many member economies, particularly in tourism, trade, investment, education, and innovation.

General Secretary To Lam witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on enhancing cooperation between the People's Committee of Da Nang City and the government of Pyeongtaek City (South Korea) in August 2025.

Expanding cooperation in key areas

Building on the 2017 foundation, Da Nang has proactively implemented numerous cooperation programs with partners within the APEC bloc.

In the tourism and service sector, Da Nang continues to affirm its position as the leading MICE tourism center in Central Vietnam and a prominent destination for APEC economies. The city has identified MICE tourism (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) as a strategic direction, with an international standard system of convention centers, five-star hotels, and synchronized transportation infrastructure. Many large-scale international events are held annually, such as the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF), the Asian Film Festival - Da Nang, and the Mekong-APEC Tourism Forum, all of which contribute to elevating the city's brand on the regional tourism map.

In 2024, the city welcomed over 10.7 million visitors, with international tourists accounting for nearly 40%, mainly from South Korea, Japan, Australia, and the United States. Additionally, Da Nang focuses on building the image of a "safe, friendly, and attractive destination," associated with the "4 Safe" model (public order, traffic safety, food safety, and social welfare) and expanding regional tour links with partner cities in the APEC bloc such as Busan (South Korea), Fukuoka (Japan), Cebu (Philippines), and Auckland (New Zealand) – creating a sustainable tourism cooperation network with great development potential.

In trade and investment, APEC economies continue to assert their role as Da Nang's most strategic and dynamic economic partners. To date, Da Nang hosts 1,260 foreign investment projects with a total capital of about 10.9 billion USD, including many large-scale projects in high technology and smart manufacturing from APEC member economies operating effectively, such as the 177 million USD Dentium factory (South Korea), the 170 million USD Sunshine Aerospace Component Manufacturing Project at Da Nang Hi-Tech Park, and projects by Fujikin Corporation (Japan) and Surbana Jurong (Singapore) in smart urban research and planning. The import-export turnover between Da Nang and APEC economies currently accounts for over 60% of the city's total trade value, affirming Da Nang's position as a crucial link in the regional economic chain and an attractive destination for high-quality investment capital.

A discussion session at the Meet Da Nang 2024 event, January 26, 2024.

In education and human resource development, Da Nang continues to expand its cooperation with reputable training institutions from APEC economies, including Australia, South Korea, Japan, and the United States. Notable examples include the linkage program between Da Nang University and Keimyung University (South Korea) in IT engineering training, cooperation with the University of Queensland (Australia) in tourism and hospitality, and student exchange projects with the University of Arizona (USA) and Chiba University (Japan). These programs have contributed to enhancing the quality of international human resource training, meeting integration requirements in key fields such as information technology, management, logistics, and tourism.

Science, technology, and innovation are new directions for cooperation, considered pillars in Da Nang's sustainable development model. The city is gradually forming an innovative startup ecosystem, collaborating on research and technology transfer with partners such as Singapore, South Korea, Japan, and the United States. Notable projects include the Da Nang Innovation Center, supported by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), a digital transformation cooperation program with FPT Corporation and Amazon Web Services (USA), as well as startup incubation activities modeled after the Singaporean approach. Initiatives such as "smart city" and "comprehensive digital transformation" are being vigorously implemented, contributing to enhanced urban governance capacity and the competitiveness of the local economy.

Effective cooperation and far-reaching impact

Thanks to expanding cooperation with APEC economies, Da Nang has achieved many outstanding results. Foreign investment projects not only contribute to the budget but also create jobs, transfer technology, and enhance management capacity. At the same time, APEC cooperation enables Da Nang to adopt advanced management standards, improve the quality of life for its residents, and enhance its image as a "green, livable city."

The city's infrastructure continues to receive synchronized investments. The international airport's capacity has been expanded to accommodate 15 million passengers per year, while the transportation system, parks, and riverside spaces have undergone modernization. The expanded APEC Park–a new symbol by the Han River–reflects the spirit of integration, openness, and a commitment to sustainable development.

According to the Government Newspaper, the success of APEC 2017 has "turned Da Nang into a model of international event organization capability", while affirming Vietnam's position as an active and responsible APEC member. Since then, many international organizations, business associations, and regional news agencies have continued to choose Da Nang as the venue for regional conferences and seminars, further solidifying the city's position as a center for international connection and cooperation in Central Vietnam.

Strengthening extensive international cooperation – A foundation for sustainable integration

Alongside expanding relations within the APEC bloc, Da Nang has been intensifying extensive international cooperation across various fields with multilateral organizations and strategic partners worldwide. The city is an active member of international urban cooperation networks, including the ASEAN Smart Cities Network, UNESCO's Learning Cities Network, and the 100 Resilient Cities Network. Cooperation projects with the World Bank (WB), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and the European Union (EU) in infrastructure, environment, urban governance, and digital transformation have helped Da Nang access advanced technology, enhance management capacity, and effectively mobilize international resources for sustainable development.

Additionally, Da Nang regularly hosts and participates in international connection and cooperation promotion events such as the Da Nang Investment Forum, Da Nang – Japan Meeting Program, Da Nang – Korea Meeting, Vietnam – ASEAN Cultural Exchange Week, and investment, trade, and tourism promotion conferences in Singapore, the United States, South Korea, and Europe. Through these activities, the city not only promotes the image of a dynamic and friendly Da Nang but also expands its network of strategic partners, attracting international investment and knowledge resources, contributing to affirming Da Nang's position as an international integration center of Central Vietnam.

Mayors of cities with cooperative relations with Da Nang, as well as heads of diplomatic missions, attended the event in Da Nang.

Heading towards a new integration phase

The socio-economic development phase of 2025–2030 in Da Nang is oriented in line with the national socio-economic development strategy 2021–2030, regional and sectoral development plans, towards digital economy, green economy, circular economy, and marine economy development; synchronized technical infrastructure development, smart urban governance; ensuring harmony between economic growth and cultural, social development, heritage preservation, environmental protection, and maintaining national defense, security, and maritime sovereignty. The city focuses on developing rural, mountainous, and ethnic minority areas, aiming to build an ecological, modern, and livable urban area.

Entering a new development phase, Da Nang is making strong strides to continue affirming its role as the economic, tourism, and innovation hub of Central Vietnam, aiming to reach APEC levels. Alongside notable achievements in international cooperation, the city also faces numerous challenges, including intense competition from regional centers, as well as infrastructure and environmental pressures resulting from rapid growth in tourism and investment. To maintain development momentum and adapt to new contexts, Da Nang is implementing a comprehensive range of strategic solutions: investing in expanding transportation infrastructure and smart urban areas; cooperating with universities and international organizations to enhance human resource quality; promoting digital transformation, green economy, and circular economy development; and simultaneously boosting investment, trade, and tourism promotion with key APEC markets.

In the first half of 2025, the export turnover of enterprises in the area reached approximately 2,223 million USD, with exports to APEC markets (20 countries) accounting for about 1,739 million USD, representing 78% of total export turnover. Major markets include Japan, the United States, South Korea, China, Hong Kong,... with main products such as computers, electronic components, machinery, and textiles. This high proportion indicates that the APEC market is a key export area for Da Nang enterprises, not only for processed and manufactured industrial goods, but also for agricultural, aquatic products, and local specialties, which have great potential.

The APEC 2025 Leaders' Meeting, with its new trade orientations, is expected to have a profound impact on regional economic activities, aiming for sustainable growth and technological adaptation. This is also an opportunity for Da Nang businesses to expand their markets and enhance global integration through their products and services.

Looking to the future, Da Nang is developing a long-term cooperation strategy within the APEC framework, expanding connections with creative cities, and creating tourism and service products that align with local identity and green consumption trends. The strategy also involves strengthening cooperation in research, innovation, and technology transfer. The experience from the APEC 2017 Leaders' Week and over a decade of integration is the foundation for Da Nang to continue asserting Vietnam's pioneering role in regional cooperation, contributing positively to APEC's common goal: "Connecting – Innovating – Developing Prosperously Together."

Notably, Decision No. 1142/QD-TTg, dated June 13, 2025, by the Prime Minister, establishes the Da Nang Free Trade Zone, marking a significant breakthrough that positions the city as a link in the global and Asia-Pacific supply chain. The free trade zone spans approximately 1,881 hectares, comprising seven functional areas: production and logistics, trade and services, digital technology and innovation. It is directly connected to Lien Chieu Port, the international airport, Hi-Tech Park, and the Da Nang International Financial Center. This will be a modern, dynamic, and integrated trade-industrial ecosystem, where advanced policy models, modern digital infrastructure, and open trade mechanisms are tested.

Opening ceremony of "International Fair of Trade, Tourism and Investment of East-West Economic Corridor - Da Nang 2020" (EWEC Da Nang 2020).

Connecting this area with the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) from Nam Giang international border gate to Da Nang seaport will form a strategic trade axis, transforming Da Nang into a major goods transshipment point of the Greater Mekong Subregion, opening up breakthrough development space for the city's trade, export-import, and logistics activities in the coming period.

From the 2017 milestone to the present, Da Nang has solidified its position as a key player in international cooperation and regional integration. With a strategic vision, dynamic spirit, and proactive integration, the city is gradually realizing its goal of becoming the economic, cultural, and technological center of Central Vietnam, as well as Vietnam's "integration city" in the dynamic APEC space.

Additionally, Da Nang aims to develop an International Financial Center and Free Trade Zone in accordance with regional and global standards, thereby creating a foundation to attract investment flows, promote innovation, and expand international trade. These will be crucial drivers contributing to enhancing Da Nang's position in the dynamic urban development chain of the Asia-Pacific region.

In the context of Vietnam continuing to play an active role in regional and global cooperation mechanisms, Da Nang–with its experience, capability, and aspiration for integration–will undoubtedly continue to be an important bridge, contributing to affirming the image of a dynamic, creative, and deeply integrated Vietnam for peace, development, and common prosperity in the Asia-Pacific.