The resurgence of Chinese visitors is not merely a tourism promotion milestone it reaffirms Đà Nẵng’s role as a gateway for exchange, integration, and connectivity between Vietnam’s Central region and Asia’s top economic hubs.
Resuming After More Than Five Years
On the morning of October 6, 2025, the cruise ship ADORA MEDITERRANEA (arriving from Guangzhou, China) docked at Tiên Sa Port, carrying nearly 2,500 Chinese passengers to explore Đà Nẵng. Their itinerary includes a city tour of Đà Nẵng, excursions to Sun World Ba Na Hills, Mỹ Sơn, and Hội An. At the APEC Park area, a shuttle-bus hub and tourism information booths have been set up to welcome and orient visitors. Tourists will receive complimentary destination guidance and information on landmarks such as the Museum of Cham Sculpture, Hàn Market, the Chicken Church (Con Gà Cathedral), Linh Ứng Sơn Trà Pagoda, and Mỹ Khê Beach.
Earlier, on the evening of October 2, 2025, China Southern Airlines flight CZ8155 landed at Đà Nẵng International Airport, carrying over 170 passengers from Shenzhen, China. After more than five years of pause, Chinese visitors have returned to Đà Nẵng marking a fresh boost to the city’s tourism and international commerce.
Ms. Mairehaba Yisilayili, China Southern Airlines’ Vietnam representative, stated that as one of Asia’s leading carriers, the airline is committed to providing passengers with safe, comfortable, and efficient service. She added that six round-trip flights between Shenzhen and Đà Nẵng are planned in October.
With a population exceeding 17 million, Shenzhen is regarded as a technology and financial powerhouse of China home to leading global corporations and a sizable upper- and middle-class demographic. Restoring the Shenzhen–Đà Nẵng route carries profound significance not only for tourism but also for trade and investment, reducing transit costs and travel time. In turn, it enhances Đà Nẵng’s appeal compared to regional competitors such as Phuket (Thailand) and Bali (Indonesia).
Over the long term, with effective operation and targeted incentives, the Shenzhen–Đà Nẵng route could rekindle the once energetic China–Đà Nẵng air network that thrived before 2020. Routes from Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, and others could gradually resume, positioning Central Vietnam as the second major international gateway after Ho Chi Minh City.
Yet the air route alone is only a necessary condition. To realize renewed growth from China’s key market, Đà Nẵng and its neighboring provinces must adopt a coordinated development strategy. In particular, tourism offerings must be diversified. Beyond coastal and heritage attractions, the region should expand into medical tourism, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions), and eco-cultural tourism to extend visitors’ length of stay.
Expectations for Growth in Chinese Visitor Numbers
China has long been a priority international tourism market for Đà Nẵng. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the city operated five regular routes and nearly 30 charter services directly linking to Chinese cities. In 2019, Chinese arrivals to Đà Nẵng reached nearly one million—accounting for a substantial share of international tourism.
In the first eight months of 2025, Đà Nẵng welcomed approximately five million international visitors a 23 % increase over the same period in 2024. However, much of this growth came from the South Korean market and emerging destinations, while Chinese visitor numbers have yet to fully recover. Thus, the return of China Southern Airlines to the Shenzhen–Đà Nẵng route is especially significant. Chinese tourists are known for higher spending capacity and a preference for beach and experiential travel areas where Central Vietnam holds strong advantage.
According to Ms. Trương Thị Hồng Hạnh, Director of Đà Nẵng’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, China has consistently ranked as Đà Nẵng’s second largest international market pre-2020. The relaunch of the Shenzhen route not only restores tourist connectivity but also unlocks expanded opportunities for trade between the two cities.
With the ambition to build an international financial center, a free trade zone, and to develop into a regional hub for high technology and innovation, Đà Nẵng’s tourism sector now stands at a pivotal moment. Growth in Chinese arrivals is not merely about tourism it heralds prospects for comprehensive cooperation across trade, investment, and premium services. The return of Chinese guests underscores Đà Nẵng’s role as a conduit for regional interaction, integration, and connectivity between Central Vietnam and Asia’s leading economic centers.
