Developing a service ecosystem suited to Muslim visitors not only helps expand markets and enhance tourism competitiveness, but also contributes to reinforcing Da Nang’s image as a safe, civilised destination that respects cultural diversity and integrates internationally.

Affirming a safe, welcoming destination

In 2025, Da Nang City served more than 17.3 million overnight visitors, up 15% compared to 2024. Of that, international visitors exceeded 7.6 million, up 25%, while domestic visitors reached nearly 9.7 million, up 8%.

Revenue from accommodation, food and beverage, and travel services reached around 60 trillion VND, up more than 21%, continuing to play a pillar role in the city’s economic structure.

Da Nang is focusing on promotion to attract visitor segments with high spending power and longer stays, particularly from key markets such as Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, India, Australia and Europe, while expanding into potential markets such as India, the Middle East and the US. The central coastal city is also promoting the restoration and opening of air routes from strategic and promising international markets.

In 2025, the city implemented a range of promotional measures to attract potential Muslim visitor markets from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Middle East, recording a total of more than 617,238 visitors, alongside the operation of direct and charter flights from these four potential markets.

The national scheme “Enhancing international cooperation to build and develop Viet Nam’s Halal industry to 2030”, approved by the Prime Minister on February 14, 2023, has provided an important impetus for the formation and expansion of the Halal ecosystem, in which Halal tourism is one of the areas oriented for strong development.

Da Nang is implementing various activities to build the image of a Muslim-friendly destination, gradually meeting international-standard Halal needs in cuisine, services and experiences.

Vice Chairwoman of the Da Nang City People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Anh Thi said that with a favourable location, high-quality services, safety and friendliness, potential in raw materials, specific requirements for tourism service staff, and a system of facilities and tourist sites, the city is ready to ensure supply and services for Muslim visitors, and to develop a Halal tourism ecosystem in line with the orientation of “Da Nang – a Muslim-friendly tourism destination”.

Da Nang will build and professionally operate a chain of visitor-friendly services, develop Halal tourism products, and expand a system of hotels and restaurants that meet specialised service criteria, alongside a well-trained workforce.

The central hub will also arrange prayer spaces at the airport, tourist sites and shopping centres, aiming to become a reputable, Muslim-friendly destination of Viet Nam and the region.

Building a Halal tourism ecosystem

Da Nang has more than 800 dining venues that are Muslim-friendly, including nearly 40 Halal/Indian restaurants with more than 10 venues already certified for Halal cuisine; 100 vegetarian venues and restaurants; and more than 500 seafood restaurants and eateries with menus and service styles suitable for Muslim visitors. Many hotels and restaurants have adjusted menus to suit visitors from the Middle East and the CIS, including Halal options, as well as European-Asian dishes and BBQ.

Over the past 10 years, the city has had opportunities to welcome and serve many Muslim visitors through various international events. In addition, Da Nang has strong potential in food, seafood and distinctive local products (OCOP—One Commune One Product) that can be exported or served to Muslim visitors.

Sun World Ba Na Hills is among the pioneering destinations investing in products and services decicated for Muslim visitor segments in Da Nang. The tourist site has already put into operation the Bharata restaurant specialising in serving Muslim visitors, and it has been Halal-certified.

Notably, the tourist site has arranged a Prayer Room to ensure a solemn space for worship and prayer for Halal visitors.

Nguyen Lam An, Deputy General Director of the Entertainment & Hospitality Division of Sun Group Corporation and Director of Sun World Ba Na Hills, said that the Middle East market has its own distinctive cultural and religious characteristics. In addition, the group has a team of chefs and service staff from Muslim countries such as India, who have a very clear understanding of Muslim religion and culture.

Furama Resort Da Nang is among the pioneering units that regularly and effectively serve the Halal visitor market, with a segregated Halal kitchen system operated under strict standards.

In 2025, the Furama–Ariyana complex welcomed more than 5,000 visitors from India, the CIS and Malaysia; visitor satisfaction — especially with food and beverage services — was rated very highly thanks to full compliance with stringent Halal standards and professional service quality.

Nguyen Duc Quynh, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang Tourism Association, said the Halal market offers an opportunity for sustainable growth and can help Da Nang balance its tourism markets, reducing dependence on traditional markets.

“Da Nang can be built into a ‘Halal-friendly destination’. Alongside that, a chain of international-standard Halal hotels, restaurants and services can be formed; and Hue–Da Nang–Hoi An can be linked into a ‘Central Viet Nam Halal tourism corridor’,” Quynh proposed.

According to Anex Viet Nam Trading and Tourism Company Limited (Crystal Bay Group), in 2026 it is expected to open additional direct flights from Russia and CIS countries to Da Nang, at a frequency of around 70 flights per month, equivalent to serving about 10,000 visitors per month, nearly doubling compared to 2025.

The share of 4–5-star hotels serving this segment is also expected to rise to 70–80%, thereby expanding reception capacity, diversifying high-end tourism products, and promoting market shifts in this segment.

Tan Van Vuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said that in the near future, Da Nang will focus on surveying and researching the Muslim tourism market to develop suitable products and services; and building and implementing a plan for Muslim-friendly tourism development for 2025–2030 in connection with the national Halal scheme.

The city will prioritise security and safety; support businesses in meeting Halal standards; step up communications and market promotion; develop convenient applications; and, at the same time, expand air routes, train human resources, and complete specialised tourism products for Muslim visitors.