Lonely Planet names Da Nang 2nd in its "Top 9 summer destinations in Asia"
In the "9 places to visit in Asia this summer" announced on May 1, 2026 by the global travel guide "Lonely Planet," Da Nang, a city in central Vietnam, ranked second. The publication described Da Nang as"a paradise for outdoor lovers,"highly praising its geographical advantage of beaches, mountains, and cultural heritage all within an hour's reach.
The list also named cities across Asia, including Busan (South Korea), Singapore, Shimla (India), Bali (Indonesia), Almaty (Kazakhstan), and Sendai (Japan). Da Nang was the only selection from Southeast Asia, a result that again shows Vietnam's international presence as a tourist city.
1.46 million visitors over the 5-day holiday — foreign travelers up 24% year on year
Around the same time as Lonely Planet's announcement, Da Nang welcomed a long holiday including Reunification Day (April 30) and May Day (May 1). According to a tally by the Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, tourists visiting the city over the five days from April 29 to May 3 numberedmore than 1.46 million.This was a 35% increase over the same period last year.
Looking at the breakdown, foreign travelerssurged to more than 621,000(up 24% year on year). Tourism revenue reached5.72 trillion VND (about 220 million USD)..
| Indicator | 2026 holiday results | Year on year |
|---|---|---|
| Total number of tourists | more than 1.46 million. | +35% |
| Foreign travelers | Over 621,000 | +24% |
| Tourism revenue | 5.72 trillion VND (about 220 million USD). | — |
| Number of flights (4/25–5/3) | 1,460 flights (average 162 a day) | +11% |
| 客室稼働率（市全体平均） | 75-80% | — |
| 4-5 star hotel occupancy | 90-95% | — |
Why Da Nang was praised — three strengths
A "compact resort" where beach and city sit side by side
Da Nang's greatest strength is that My Khe Beach and Non Nuoc Beach spread out within a 10-minute drive of the city center. Lonely Planet also cited this "closeness of city and beach" as a reason for the selection. Because it's close from the area where hotels and restaurants cluster to the beach, even a short stay lets you enjoy both the sea and the city.
Access to cultural heritage
The Museum of Cham Sculpture houses hundreds of stone carvings from the Champa Kingdom that flourished in central Vietnam. Add the 30-minute drive to Hoi An Ancient Town (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and an hour to the Hue Imperial City, and access to historical heritage is superb. Travel + Leisure magazine also selected in 2025Hoi An 1st and Da Nang 2nd in its "world's hidden gem cities,"and praise from overseas media keeps coming.
Nature experiences on the Son Tra Peninsula
Primeval forest remains on the Son Tra Peninsula that juts out to the northeast of the city, home to the endangered red-shanked douc langur. Lonely Planet cited this peninsula as one basis for "outdoor lover's paradise," a spot where you can enjoy untouched nature through trekking or driving.
The 2026 goal is "20 million" — the growth strategy the administration envisions
Nguyen Thi Hoai An, deputy director of the Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said, "For 2026 we aim for about 20 million overnight guests from home and abroad, establishing our status as a dynamic and distinctive destination." The plan is to add a further 15% on top of the 2025 results of 17.3 million.
On the infrastructure side, during the holiday the cruise ship "Star Voyager" called at Tien Sa Port, with 2,500 passengers and crew landing in Da Nang. Railways from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City alsointroduced AI dynamic pricing from May 1,and short-distance segments are getting discounts of up to 35%. Air, sea, and rail — access to Da Nang is being strengthened on every route.
Local reactions — voices of tourism operators and travelers
- A Da Nang hotel owner (anonymous): "From the day after the Lonely Planet article ran, inquiries and bookings from Western guests visibly increased. For the June–August peak season, we expect occupancy above the usual."
- A Singaporean traveler (woman in her 30s): "Da Nang's appeal is that it's not yet as crowded as Bali or Phuket. It's nice that being selected raises its profile, but on the flip side its hidden-gem feel may fade."
- A Da Nang Tourism Association executive: "During the holiday, our beach rescue system covered 100% from 4:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and through a partnership with Surf Life Saving Australia we're raising safety standards to international levels."
Impact on travelers — the best season is June–August
Da Nang's summer (June–August) has a high rate of clear skies, and the sea temperature is a comfortable 27–29°C. Lonely Planet's selection reasons also clearly recommend it as a "summer destination." From Japan, Vietnam Airlines and VietJet Air operate direct flights from Narita and Kansai, with a flight time of about five and a half hours.
At theVITM Hanoi International Travel Expothat opened in April 2026, the Da Nang booth also drew attention, and promotion toward the summer beach season is ramping up.
Ripple effect on the industry — a tailwind for Vietnamese tourism overall
The rise in Da Nang's international reputation is a tailwind for Vietnam's tourism sector as a whole. In 2025 Vietnam reached 20 million foreign travelers, and in 2026 it aims to add more. Near Da Nang,Phan Thiet's private airport broke ground at a scale of 14.8 billion yen,and the development of tourism infrastructure in the south-central area is accelerating.
Together with the news that Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City were selected among the "world's top 100 most walkable cities,"cities across Vietnam are raising their presence in international travel guides.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Selecting media | Lonely Planet「Best places to visit in Asia in summer」 |
| Da Nang's ranking | 2nd of 9 cities |
| Announcement date | May 1, 2026 |
| Best season | June–August |
| Flights from Japan | Direct flights from Narita and Kansai, about 5.5 hours |
| Visa | Japanese nationals get a 45-day visa exemption |
| Currency | 1 USD ≒ 25,800 VND (as of May 2026) |
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season for Da Nang?
June to August has a high rate of clear skies and is the best season, ideal for swimming. From September on it enters the rainy season, and October–November may be affected by typhoons.
What other cities were chosen in Lonely Planet's "Top 9 summer destinations in Asia"?
They include Busan (South Korea), Singapore, Shimla (India), Bali (Indonesia), Almaty (Kazakhstan), and Sendai (Japan).
Are there direct flights from Japan to Da Nang?
Vietnam Airlines and VietJet Air operate direct flights from Narita and Kansai. The flight time is about five and a half hours.
Related reading
- Hoi An 1st and Da Nang 2nd in Travel + Leisure magazine's "world's hidden gem cities"
- Phan Thiet's private airport breaks ground at 14.8 billion yen
- Vietnam Railways applies AI dynamic pricing to all trains
Source:
Dantri International – Danang named among Asia’s top summer destinations
VietnamPlus – Da Nang among Asia’s top nine summer destinations: Lonely Planet
Vietnam.vn – The number of tourists visiting Da Nang during the holiday period increased sharply
