New flight route to help Danang attract more wealthy tourists from Middle East

The new Dubai-Danang flight route has been launched, paving the way for an influx of high-spending travelers from the Middle East and Europe to the central Vietnam city, one of the country's top tourist attractions.

Opening the door to affluent travelers

On Monday evening, flight EK370 landed at the Danang International Airport carrying 333 international passengers aboard a Boeing 777 - a wide-body aircraft featuring three classes of service.

This marks the inaugural flight in Emirates's regular service on the Dubai-Bangkok-Danang route, which will operate four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Tran Chi Cuong, Vice Chairman of the Danang People’s Committee, highlighted the city’s growing reputation as a top destination in Vietnam. He emphasized that the launch of this new route represents a significant step in Danang’s international integration and expansion of its global air connectivity.

“This route helps bridge the gap between Danang and key markets in the Middle East, Europe, North America, and Africa. It creates new opportunities for trade, tourism, and investment collaboration,” said Cuong.

He also noted the flight’s strategic significance in the context of Danang’s implementation of special policies and mechanisms under the National Assembly Resolution 136. "The city is also striving to develop a regional international financial center and a free trade zone, gradually becoming a new driving force of national economic development."

Strategic move by Emirates

Nabil Sultan, executive vice president, passenger sales and country management at Emirates, stated that this route aligns with the airline’s growth strategy in Southeast Asia and reinforces its long-term commitment to supporting Vietnam’s trade and tourism goals.

“With its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and growing economic potential, Danang is a compelling destination. We’re proud to offer world-class service connecting Danang with Dubai and Bangkok, and we believe in the city’s growing international appeal for both tourists and businesses,” said Sultan.

Prepared to serve high-spending visitors

In the year to end-April, Danang had welcomed more than 13,000 visitors from Middle Eastern countries which accounted for approximately 0.73% of the city’s international arrivals. Most of them were from Iran, Israel, and Turkey, according to Danang’s Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

Danang currently boasts about 1,290 tourist accommodations, offering more than 46,000 rooms. Of these, 111 are 4- or 5-star establishments, providing nearly 22,000 rooms. The city is home to many luxury hotels and resorts operated by top international hospitality brands such as IHG, Accor, and Hilton.

There are also more than 8,000 dining establishments in the city, including nearly 30 restaurants specializing in Halal, Indian, or Muslim-friendly cuisine - some of which are officially Halal-certified. Additionally, over 20 venues offer vegetarian and vegan fare to suit various dietary preferences.

According to Truong Hong Hanh, director of Danang's Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, the new Emirates route connects Danang to over 140 global destinations.

Infrastructure and market readiness

To prepare for the arrival of high-spending visitors from the Middle East and new markets, the city’s tourism authorities are working with stakeholders to upgrade infrastructure, improve service quality, and offer specialized training. This includes cultural orientation and adapting customs and procedures to meet the expectations of Middle Eastern travelers.

Efforts are also underway to build partnerships that enable tourism businesses to exchange visitor traffic and develop international markets through this new route - fostering two-way tourism growth in a sustainable, long-term manner.

Cao Tri Dung, chairman of the Da Nang Tourism Association, sees the Dubai-Bangkok-Danang route as a gateway to attracting high-net-worth travelers. He believes Danang’s ecosystem of premium resorts, culinary experiences, and cultural attractions is well-suited to meet the needs of Middle Eastern tourists.

“To develop this market sustainably, we need continued investment in specialized, culturally appropriate products and consistently high service standards,” said Dung.