Da Nang Strengthens Ties with China and South Korea to Boost Economic Cooperation

Da Nang City, a major coastal city in central Vietnam, is focusing on deepening its ties with China and South Korea to revitalize its regional economy and strengthen international cooperation. On July 28, Le Ngoc Quang, a member of the Central Executive Committee, Secretary of the City Party Committee, and Head of the Da Nang City National Assembly Delegation, held a meeting with the Consul General of China and the Consul General of South Korea stationed in Da Nang City. This meeting aimed to promote economic cooperation with both countries and marked a significant step in building Da Nang's international partnerships. Da Nang has been actively developing its infrastructure and promoting its tourism industry in recent years, with a particular focus on attracting investment and tourists from China and South Korea. Both countries are important trading partners and major sources of tourists for Da Nang. Through this meeting, it is understood that enhanced cooperation in various fields, including economy, trade, tourism, and cultural exchange, was confirmed. Under Vietnam's one-party system, local governments also strive to achieve economic development and build international relations under the guidance of the central government. Da Nang, with its geographical advantages and development potential, is positioned as a strategic hub for attracting foreign investment. While geopolitical aspects, such as issues in the South China Sea, exist in relations with China, a stance of pursuing mutual benefits in the economic sphere is being shown. With South Korea, economic ties are already strong, with many Korean companies having established a presence. Da Nang is also sparing no effort in attracting international events and developing tourism infrastructure. For instance, plans are underway for significant investment, reportedly on the scale of over 10 trillion Vietnamese Dong (approximately 60 billion JPY), for infrastructure development to host an international fireworks festival. This can be seen as an indication of the city's ambition to establish itself as an international tourism and business hub. This strengthening of ties with China and South Korea can be viewed not only as an initiative by Da Nang City but also as part of Vietnam's overall economic growth strategy. In particular, interest in Vietnam's major cities is growing amidst efforts to diversify supply chains. It remains to be seen how Da Nang City will materialize these international partnerships and translate them into further development of its regional economy.