Basic HTML Version
timeout
42
factors lay a good foundation for MICE
tourism development,” said Quynh.
However, it is not only the city’s
natural charm and beauty and its sur-
rounding attractions that will make
Danang a great place for MICE, accord-
ing to Quynh: “Danang has long been
known as a livable city with a peace-
ful atmosphere, hassle-free tourism, no
overcharging and friendly people.”
In addition, the city is improving
with the opening of two more golf
courses, a small gambling facility and a
new amusement park on Ba Na Hills in
addition to diving tours and day trips to
Hue, Hoi An and My Son.
Othman added that he believes Da-
nang will become an important MICE
destination not only for Vietnam, but
for Southeast Asia as well: “Its acces-
sibility to other cities has become a
lot easier. There are frequent domestic
flights from and to the economic hubs
of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and from
across the region directly to Danang
International Airport, including flights
from Seoul, Singapore, Hong Kong and
Siem Reap.”
However, Quynh said, it still has
a long way to go in terms of finding
its feet as major MICE destination in
Southeast Asia.
“The MICE market in Danang is still
in its infancy - it has actually only been
developed for about two years. Dan-
ang’s MICE market still relies on com-
panies and organisations operating in
Vietnam, whilst to become a true MICE
destination the city needs to develop
its international MICE markets,” he said.
He also pointed out that although
Danang has built a larger airport with
improved capacity, there were still no
direct flights from important MICE mar-
kets to Danang. As a result, MICE groups
often select Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City
instead of Danang to cut costs.
“It is important for Danang to have
direct flights to Thailand and Australia,
while frequency between Danang and
Singapore should be increased,” said
Quynh. “In addition, Vietnamese air-
lines should connect their international
flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City
in the most convenient way to reduce
travel time for MICE groups.”
Another obstacle for MICE tourism
in Danang is the lack of more afforda-
ble accommodation, such as three- and
four-star hotels. Most resorts along the
central coast are quite expensive for
large MICE groups.
Quynh also believes that the dining
scene needs improvement: “There are
not unique restaurants in Danang. Sea-
side restaurants are noisy, those in the
city centre have no specialties. There
are no restaurants on the rivers or bays.
Most groups select Hoi An as their din-
ing venue.”
Othman added that Danang lacks
professional event planners which gives
the end-users difficulties in organising
large-scale events and they usually use
event planners from Ho Chi Minh City
and Hanoi.
However, Quynh said Danang tour-
ism authorities have recently paid more
attention to MICE tourism develop-
ment, holding several conferences to
seek advice from experts to develop
this market. The recently-established
Central Coast Vietnam Destination
Marketing Organization has held sev-
eral familiarization trips for groups from
China and Hong Kong, while Furama is
cooperating with Vietnam Airlines to
organise a familiarization trip for the
Scandinavian market, with more than
20 professional incentive tour organis-
ers in October.
With all these efforts, it is hoped that
Danang will find its place on the interna-
tional MICE map sooner rather than later.
Nowhere in Vietnam can you experi-
ence such a diversified landscape as
here in Danang where rivers, moun-
tains, the sea, bays and passes all meet.
Nguyen Duc Quynh
Executive assistant manager of Furama Resort Danang
The Summit at InteContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort
MICE TOURISM