Da Nang, a coastal city in central Vietnam, has been voted into the list of the 11 best places to travel in Asia in 2024 by readers of Condé Nast Traveler, a reputable American tourism magazine. 

A modern beach city in close proximity to many UNESCO-recognized sites, including the ancient port city of Hoi An and the former imperial capital city of Hue, Da Nang is one of Asia’s big post-COVID success stories, according to Condé Nast Traveler, which announced the list last Friday.    

The number of tourists coming to Da Nang in recent times has even been higher than before the pandemic that hit the country in early 2020.

In 2023, national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines reopened flights to this city from key markets such as Japan and Taiwan, causing the number of passengers to skyrocket. 

Foreign travelers often come here every June to attend the Da Nang-hosted annual international fireworks festival, the magazine said.

Son Tra Peninsula, located about 10 kilometers from the city center, is one of Da Nang’s most attractive destinations, which has spread-out beaches and pristine forests, as well as a 17-story, 220-foot statue of Lady Buddha.

The peninsula is a habitat for endangered red-shanked douc langurs and various other wildlife, all of which reside within the nature reserve of the peninsula.

The reserve boasts nearly 1,000 plant species, including 22 that are rare and precious.

Da Nang is also famous for My Khe Beach, which recently ranked eighth among the 10 most beautiful beaches in Asia, as voted by by readers of TripAdvisor, a world-famous website for travel reviews. 

Regarding gastronomy, the city is well known for central Vietnamese food specialties like mi Quang, a noodle delicacy of the neighboring province of Quang Nam, and banh xeo (crispy pancakes).

Many famous brands of hotels and resorts in Asia have increasingly appeared in the city.

The Bill Bensley-designed InterContinental Sun Peninsula Resort recently completed an extensive 10th-anniversary renovation work that includes a new club lounge, villas, and spa facilities on Son Tra Peninsula.

This year, IHG Hotel Group launched voco Ma Belle Danang in the city, and in 2024, the inaugural Mandarin Oriental hotel is set to debut, alongside a facility from the wellness-focused Southeast Asian Fusion Hotel group.

“Hotel and resort developers are taking note of Da Nang’s newfound popularity,” Condé Nast Traveler commented.

In 2023, Vietnam relaxed visa regulations for foreign tourists, especially those from Europe, as a move to attract more international visitors to Vietnam, including Da Nang.

The other destinations in the list include Singapore, Chinatown in Thailand, Kochi in India, Kobe in Japan, Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE, and Kathmandu Valley in Nepal, among others.

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