Da Nang donates $10,000 to support Myanmar earthquake recovery at ASEAN event

The donation was presented by Da Nang People’s Committee chairman Le Trung Chinh to the Myanmar chargé d’affaires in Vietnam during a symbolic handover ceremony at the ‘Meet ASEAN in Da Nang 2025’ event.

In addition, the Da Nang Tourism Association contributed VND75 million ($2,900) raised from the city’s tourism community to support victims in Myanmar’s disaster-struck areas.

Reuters cited Myanmar’s military government as reporting on Thursday that the magnitude-7.7 quake on March 28 has killed more than 3,600 people, injured more than 5,000, and left 148 others missing.

The quake also took a heavy toll on infrastructure, destroying nearly 49,000 houses and more than 2,100 government buildings.

Aside from the donation, the city’s chairman briefed participants on cooperation between Da Nang and ASEAN member states, especially in trade, investment, and tourism.

Strengthening ASEAN solidarity

Chairman Chinh said that Da Nang maintains formal cooperative relations with nine ASEAN localities, particularly in Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand.

Trade between Da Nang and ASEAN nations has seen steady growth, focusing on key exports such as textiles, raw materials, and electronic components.

ASEAN countries also maintain a strong investment presence in this coastal Vietnamese city.

Singapore takes the lead with 31 active FDI projects worth over $838 million, followed by Malaysia with 18 projects totaling $222 million.

Thailand has 15 projects worth nearly $65 million.

The Philippines has 8 projects, amounting to $11 million.

Tourism and beyond

ASEAN remains one of Da Nang’s top international tourism markets, with several ASEAN countries in the city’s top 10 source markets.

Da Nang currently has direct flights to eight out of 10 ASEAN countries, facilitating easier regional exchange and tourism, including routes to Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, and Myanmar.

The city is also actively exploring cooperation in information technology, logistics, finance, energy, and especially education with ASEAN counterparts.

During the event held from Wednesday to Friday, tourism associations from Malaysia and the Philippines are expected to sign memoranda of understanding with the Da Nang Tourism Association to foster future collaboration and joint tourism promotion efforts.

'Meet ASEAN in Da Nang 2025': A regional milestone

The event commemorates the 30th anniversary of Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN (July 28, 1995) and coincides with senior official meetings between ASEAN and its partners, the UK and New Zealand.

Attendees include senior officials from Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ambassadors, consuls general, business leaders, and representatives from ASEAN nations.

The ‘Meet ASEAN in Da Nang 2025’ aims to deepen ties between Da Nang and ASEAN member countries, fostering comprehensive cooperation and contributing to regional peace, prosperity, and integration.