Da Nang City

Detail

Da Nang City:

Da Nang City, the fourth-largest city in Vietnam after Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Hai Phong, exhibits significant urbanization and socio-economic development, and is located on the South China Sea. Moreover, it houses the strategic port of the Han River and is recognized as one of Vietnam’s five centrally-controlled cities.

Ideally positioned between the capital, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang also serves as the hub of three World Cultural Heritages: the Ancient Capital of Hue, Hoi An Ancient Town, and My Son Sanctuary. Furthermore, Da Nang is flanked by Thua Thien-Hue to the north and Quang Nam to the west and south, while the East Sea lies to the east.

Situated at Vietnam’s mid-latitude, Da Nang becomes a crucial transportation axis, marking the end of the East-West Economic Corridor stretching across Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar.

Acting as a diversified multi-sectoral hub, Da Nang emerges as the key political, economic, and social center of the Central Highlands region, excelling in various domains like industry, finance, tourism, services, culture, education, high-quality healthcare, science, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Additionally, Da Nang, as the organizer of regional and international events, plays a central role in Vietnam’s central economic key zone, standing as a first-tier city and a national hub, akin to Hai Phong and Can Tho.

My Khe beach in Da Nang, which Forbes has acclaimed as “one of the six most attractive beaches on the planet,” further enhances the city’s allure. Over recent years, Da Nang has proactively invested in infrastructure, environment, and social welfare, thus earning the title of “the most livable city in Vietnam”. Lastly, Da Nang, representing Vietnam, proudly secured a spot in the Top 10 Best Places to Live Abroad in 2018, according to the “Live and Invest Overseas” magazine.

Geography of Da Nang city:

Geographical location:

Positioned between 15°15′ and 16°40′ N latitude and 107°17′ and 108°20′ E longitude, Da Nang spans an area of roughly 1285.4 km². Furthermore, it’s nestled midway between Hanoi to the north, which is 766 km away, and Ho Chi Minh City to the south, a distance of 961 km via National Highway 1.

Da Nang neighbors Thua Thien Hue to the north and Quang Nam to the west and south, while the East Sea graces its eastern flank. Additionally, the city is the epicenter of three World Heritage sites: the ancient capital Hue, Hoi An Old Town, and My Son Sanctuary.

Serving as an essential transportation hub via road, rail, sea, and air in the north-south corridor, Da Nang also functions as a significant gateway for the Central Highlands, Laos, northeast Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar to access the sea. Finally, the city’s proximity to Southeast Asia’s major economic hubs, including Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Manila, is between 1,000 and 2,000 km.

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The extreme points of Da Nang city:

The city of Da Nang is demarcated by four geographical extremes: the southernmost in Hoa Khuong commune, Hoa Vang district;the northernmost point in Hoa Hiep Bac ward, Lien Chieu district; the easternmost in Tho Quang ward, Son Tra district and the westernmost in Hoa Bac commune, Hoa Vang district

In addition to its mainland, the city’s maritime territory includes the Paracel Islands (an area currently occupied unlawfully by China). These islands lie between 15°45’ and 17°15’ N latitude and 111° to 113° E longitude, parallel to the coastlines of Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam, and part of Quang Ngai provinces. They are roughly 120 nautical miles from Ly Son island (part of Quang Ngai province), covering a maritime area of about 30,000 km².

The total land area of the islands is about 10 km², with Phu Lam Island being the largest (Vietnamese sources: about 1.5 km², Chinese sources: 2.1 km²). The Paracels oversee an international maritime artery stretching from the Pacific to the Indian and Atlantic Oceans.

This sea area, rich in minerals and seafood, offers significant economic development potential. Still, more importantly, it holds a strategic military position controlling maritime and air traffic in the northern part of the East Sea.

The Paracels’ four extremities include the northernmost at North Reef, the southernmost at Elephant Trunk Reef, the easternmost at Sand Cay, and the westernmost at Tri Ton Island.

Natural condition of Da Nang City:

Topographic:

Geologically, Da Nang lies on the fringe of the Paleozoic fold belt known as the Truong Son Mountain Range, where major deformations occurred in the early Carboniferous period. The geological structure of Da Nang consists of five principal stratigraphic units from bottom to top: A Vương Formation, Long Dai Formation, Tan Lam Formation, Ngu Hanh Son Formation, and Quaternary sediments.

The A Vương, Long Dai, and Tan Lam Formations are primarily composed of slate and sandstone. The Ngu Hanh Son Formation primarily consists of grayish-white fossiliferous limestone. Quaternary sediments range from early Pleistocene to late Holocene, mainly comprising sand, gravel, pebbles, and silt, among others. The earth’s crust within Da Nang’s territory has been disrupted by several fault systems that cut across near-meridian and latitudinal directions, compromising the continuity and durability of rocks and creating increased water-bearing fracture zones, posing hazards during construction.

Da Nang’s topography includes both coastal plains and hills. High, steep mountains are concentrated in the west and northwest, from where numerous mountain ranges extend to the sea, interspersed with low hills amid the narrow coastal plains.

The hilly terrain, occupying a large area and rising from 700 to 1,500 m with steep slopes, houses many primary forests and plays a crucial role in safeguarding the city’s ecological environment. Coastal plains are low-lying areas influenced by sea salinity, accommodating various agricultural, industrial, service, military facilities, residential lands, and city functional areas.

At the estuaries of the Han and Cu De rivers, the underwater topography is complex, forming several sandbanks and underwater pits (riverbeds). In the bay area, the general seabed slopes gently towards the northeast, with fairly regular depth contour lines.

Climate:

Da Nang, located in a tropical monsoon region, experiences a stable climate with high temperatures. It combines subtropical elements from the North with tropical savanna conditions from the South, resulting in a dominantly southern tropical climate. The city transitions between two main seasons: the rainy (September to December) and the dry season (January to August), with occasional mild cold spells.

Annually, Da Nang averages a temperature of 25.8 °C, reaching peaks of 28-30 °C from June to August and dipping to lows of 18-23 °C from December to February. The elevated Ba Na area sees a cooler average temperature of around 20 °C. The city reports an average humidity of 83.4% and yearly rainfall of 2,153 mm.

Da Nang enjoys an annual 2,182 hours of sunshine, peaking from May to July and diminishing from November to January. The city typically endures one to two tropical disturbances annually, including the devastating Xangsane typhoon in 2006.

In contrast, the Paracel Islands boast 2,300-2,500 sunshine hours/year. The average minimum temperature over these islands is 22-24 °C in January, rising to a maximum of 28.5-29 °C in June and July. The islands’ wind patterns are affected by mainland Vietnam and China, with dominant southwestern winds in summer and northeastern winds in winter. Their annual rainfall stands at around 1,300-1,700 mm, with a fairly consistent average humidity of 80-85%.

Island:

The Paracel Islands, belonging to Vietnam, consist of two primary groups: the Crescent Group located in the west and the Amphitrite Group situated in the east. The Crescent Group, resembling a scythe or crescent shape, comprises islands like Hoang Sa, Huu Nhat, Duy Mong, Quang Anh, Quang Hoa, Bach Quy, and Tri Ton, along with rocks and submerged banks.

In contrast, the Amphitrite Group in the east encompasses larger islands within the Paracel archipelago, including notable coral islands in the South China Sea such as Phu Lam, Cay, Linh Con, Trung, Bac, Nam, and the Tay sandbank. These islands showcase distinctive ring-shaped Pacific coral reefs, formed by coral growth and the sinking of the Earth’s crust.

The island landscapes exhibit simplicity but possess the unique features of tropical coral terrain, characterized by three distinct components: the visible islands, the surrounding coral reef corridor (tidal flat), and the steep underwater slope. Most of these exposed islands have an elevation of less than 10 meters.

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Hydrology:

Da Nang’s river system, which is short and steep, originates from the west, northwest, and Quang Nam province. Comprising two main rivers, the Han River stretches about 204 km long, draining an area of roughly 5,180 km², while the Cu De River spans approximately 38 km with a catchment area of around 426 km². Additionally, there are other rivers such as Yen, Tuy Loan , Phu Loc, Chu Bai, and Vinh Dien. Notably, these rivers experience two distinct seasons: the dry season, which lasts from January to August, and the flood season that occurs from September to December. Consequently, over 546 hectares of water bodies in the city can be exploited for aquaculture.

The groundwater in Da Nang is not only diverse but also holds potential for exploitation, particularly in areas like the Hoa Hai – Hoa Quy limestone layers at 50-60m depth, and the Khanh Hoa region that possesses water sources at 30-90m depth. Exploration is also ongoing in other areas. However, in early 2013, upstream hydroelectric projects holding back water led to a shortage of domestic water and irrigation for crops in Da Nang. Moreover, the city faces an annual challenge due to saltwater intrusion into freshwater sources.

As for Da Nang’s sea, it exhibits a semi-diurnal and irregular tidal regime. On most days, there are two high tides and two low tides, with a tidal range hovering around 1 meter in Da Nang. Furthermore, the dominant direction of near-shore currents is southeast, averaging about 20-25 cm/s in speed. Interestingly, speeds are observed to be slightly higher near the shore as compared to offshore.

Economy:

Economic structure:

Before 2000:

After the end of the Vietnam War, Da Nang’s infrastructure remained intact, but the industrial sector was small and the outskirts of the city were abandoned. Through the five-year plan of 1976-1980, the city achieved some accomplishments such as a 14.7% average annual increase in industrial and cottage industries, and 700 hectares of land for cultivation. The subsequent five-year plan of 1981-1985 saw a 47% increase in industrial production compared to 1982, and the budget revenue in 1985 was 5.3 times higher than in 1983.

However, the period of 1986-1990 witnessed economic difficulties, including those faced by Da Nang. Industrial production value declined, reaching only 95.5% of the 1985 level in 1990, and some establishments had to cease operations or dissolve. The number of state-owned enterprises decreased from 64 to 59. From 1991 onwards, the city’s economy gradually stabilized and experienced growth. The average annual economic growth rate from 1991-1998 was 15.6%, higher than the national average.

After 2000:

Since becoming a centrally-governed city, Da Nang has experienced an increase in GDP per capita. From 2015-2020, the city achieved an average annual economic growth rate of 6.5-7%. In 2019, Da Nang’s GRDP reached 112 trillion VND (4.9 billion USD), ranking 14th nationwide, with a per capita GRDP of 95.7 million VND (4,117 USD).

In 2019, the city faced challenges with a low economic growth rate of 6.47%, the lowest among the five centrally-governed cities, and a decreased investment-to-GRDP ratio of 36.4%. However, the city’s labor force increased from 386,487 people in 2005 to 462,980 people in 2010, accounting for 49.14% of the population. The proportion of trained and vocationally trained workers also saw significant growth.

In terms of trade, Da Nang’s total import-export turnover in 2019 reached nearly 2.988 trillion USD. The city’s investment in development increased to over 39.712 trillion VND, and the state budget revenue exceeded 28.17 trillion VND, with domestic revenue reaching 24.42 trillion VND.

However, in 2020, Da Nang experienced a decrease in GRDP, estimated at 101.233 trillion VND, with a per capita GRDP of approximately 87.16 million VND. The city’s economic structure has shifted towards a higher proportion of services and industry, while reducing the proportion of agriculture. The city’s economy is diverse, encompassing various sectors such as industries, agriculture, services, tourism, and commerce.

Da Nang is home to the Sun Group, established in 2007, which has undertaken significant projects across the country. Aquaculture production plays a substantial role in the city’s agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector, accounting for 53.8% of the total value.

Industry:

The industrial sector has achieved an average annual growth rate of 20%. Key areas of focus include aquaculture, textiles, leather and footwear, and rubber. Da Nang also prioritizes the development of the Information Technology sector (Da Nang Software Park, FPT Da Nang Technology Urban Area, Da Nang National High-Tech Park) and the biotechnology industry (Da Nang Biotechnology Center). The city also emphasizes the development of clean industries to serve its goal of building an environmentally friendly Da Nang.

In 2008, the city rejected two foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in the steel and paper manufacturing sectors, with a total registered capital of up to 2.5 billion US dollars. Da Nang aims to become one of the leading localities in Vietnam’s industrialization and modernization efforts, aspiring to become an industrial city by 2020.

Da Nang High-Tech Park, with an initial investment of 8.156 trillion VND, is one of three high-tech industrial parks in the country, alongside Ho Chi Minh City High-Tech Park and Hoa Lac High-Tech Park. It has attracted significant industrial projects, such as the Sunshine Aerospace Component Manufacturing Plant (USA) and Alton Robotics and Compressed Air Dusting Machine Plant (USA). By 2030, the Da Nang High-Tech Park is expected to contribute 25.5% to the city’s GRDP structure, providing employment for over 10,000 skilled workers, professionals, and scientists.

Agriculture:

High-tech agriculture is one of the five key sectors for economic development in Da Nang, as outlined in Resolution 43 by the Politburo, which emphasizes the need for focused investment resources. Accordingly, Da Nang has planned infrastructure for high-tech agriculture projects, allocated land funds, and offered attractive incentives to attract investments in this field.

Da Nang city has established several hi-tech agricultural areas to promote advanced farming practices. These areas include:

1. Hoa Ninh Hi-tech Agricultural Park: Spread across 140 hectares in Hoa Ninh Commune, Hoa Vang District, this park focuses on attracting investment in the cultivation of vegetables, flowers, mushrooms, and medicinal plants.

2. Hoa Khuong – Hoa Phong High-tech Agricultural Area: Covering 16.2 hectares in Hoa Khuong and Hoa Phong Communes, Hoa Vang District, this area is dedicated to investment in vegetable farming.

3. Hoa Phu Hi-tech Agricultural Area: Spanning 26.5 hectares in Hoa Phu Commune, Hoa Vang District, this area aims to attract investment in the cultivation of vegetables, flowers, and medicinal plants.

4. Hoa Khuong Hi-tech Agricultural Area: Encompassing 24.5 hectares in Hoa Khuong Commune, Hoa Vang District, this area focuses on investment in the production of safe and high-tech vegetables.

5. Concentrated Livestock and Poultry Breeding Area: Occupying 10.9 hectares in Hoa Khuong Commune, Hoa Vang District, this area employs high-tech methods for cattle raising.

6. Aquaculture and Eco-tourism Combination Area: Spanning 50 hectares in Hoa Lien Commune, Hoa Vang District, this area attracts investment in intensive aquaculture practices and combines them with eco-tourism initiatives.

These hi-tech agricultural areas aim to boost agricultural productivity, enhance the quality of agricultural products, and contribute to the sustainable development of Da Nang’s agricultural sector.

Logistic:

The Resolution 43-NQ/TW by the Politburo on the construction and development of Da Nang city until 2030, with a vision to 2045, outlines the tasks and solutions for the city’s economic development. It aims to transform Da Nang into a maritime economic center and establish a logistics service supply chain in the Central region, with Da Nang as the central hub.

The following is a list of planned logistics centers in Da Nang:

1. Liên Chiểu Port Logistics Center: Spread over 35 hectares, this center is designated as a regional-level and first-class seaport logistics center. It is located in Liên Chiểu District.

2. Da Nang International Airport Logistics Center: Covering an area of 4 hectares, this specialized logistics center focuses on air cargo logistics. It is situated at Da Nang International Airport.

3. High-tech Park Logistics Center: Spanning 3 hectares, this logistics center serves as a supporting facility for the aviation and railway logistics centers. It is located in the High-tech Park area of Da Nang.

4. Kim Liên Freight Station Logistics Center: Occupying 5 hectares, this logistics center is dedicated to railway logistics. It is situated near the new Kim Liên Railway Station, close to the Hòa Khánh Industrial Park.

These planned logistics centers play a vital role in enhancing the city’s economic development by facilitating efficient transportation and supply chain management.

Commerce – Finance – Banking:

In terms of commerce, Da Nang city is home to 30 commercial centers and supermarkets. The retail sales of goods have been increasing at a rate of 21.1% per year. The city boasts two major markets located in the city center, namely Han Market and Con Market, along with recently opened large-scale supermarkets such as Metro, BigC, Vincom, Parkson, Lotte Mart, VV Mall, Indochina Riverside Mall, Soleil Mall, Bach Dang Complex, Golden Square, Co.opMart, Intimex, and Nguyen Kim. In the past two years, notable F&B and fashion brands have also made their presence in Da Nang, including Starbucks, Koi Thé, El Gaucho, Burger King, Chanel, Hermes, and Innisfree.

Da Nang is the third-largest financial center in the country, with 115 primary banks, over 350 branches and transaction points, savings funds, and 17 securities company agencies and branches, as well as financial leasing organizations and debt trading companies. The city is also attracting investments for the Danang Gateway project, with an initial investment of $2 billion, featuring financial office buildings.

The Prime Minister has granted permission for Da Nang to study and develop a plan to establish the city as a regional financial center. Da Nang aims to strengthen its position in the financial sector and attract further investments in this area.

Social:

Residential:

Population and Urbanization

Da Nang has the highest urban population rate in the country, reaching 87.7% in 2018. The total population according to the 2019 Census is approximately 1,134,310 people, with males accounting for 50.7% and females for 49.3%.

Population Growth and Composition

Over the past decade, the city’s population has increased by over 250,000 people, with an average growth rate of 2.45% per year. The population of Da Nang has risen from 937,217 in 2010 to 1,134,310 in 2019. Urban population growth has been faster at 2.25% per year, compared to 1.98% per year in rural areas. The population aged 15 and above has also increased correspondingly, from 715,748 in 2010 to 866,531 in recent years.

With the city’s average GRDP growth of 7.89% from 2010 to 2019, the natural population growth rate of Da Nang has increased to an average of 1.0%-1.2% per year. Notably, the rapid development of industries such as tourism and information technology has led to an accelerated growth in population and labor force (2.4% in 2019).

Population Density

– The population density in Da Nang is approximately 883 people per square kilometer, with the urban population accounting for nearly 990,000 people and an average of 3.6 persons per household.

– Urban population is concentrated in the city center, while the population density decreases as one moves away from the center. There is a significant difference in population distribution, ranging from the lowest density of 180 people per square kilometer in Hoa Vang to the highest of 8,746 people per square kilometer in Hai Chau and 19,712 people per square kilometer in Thanh Khe.

– Outside the city center, the population density is much lower in the newer urban areas of Cam Le, Lien Chieu, Son Tra, and Ngu Hanh Son, ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 people per square kilometer.

Healthcare:

Da Nang is a leading medical center in the Central Highlands and the country. Patients from the Central Highlands and surrounding provinces trust the city’s modern, comprehensive, and well-coordinated healthcare system, which includes reputable hospitals. As of 2018, there were 73 healthcare facilities under the Department of Health and Ministry of Health, including 26 hospitals, 1 Nursing Hospital, 1 Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Hospital, and 56 medical stations. Da Nang had a ratio of 17.49 doctors per 10,000 people and 79.03 beds per 10,000 people. The city had a total of 5,920 beds in healthcare facilities under the Department of Health, 1,510 beds in central government hospitals, and 1,410 beds in district/commune health centers, along with 943 beds in private healthcare facilities.
In 2017, the city’s healthcare sector provided medical examinations to 3,739,982 people and inpatient treatment to 416,254 patients from neighboring provinces. Private hospitals and clinics are also gradually developing in Da Nang. The city achieved the goal of universal health insurance coverage by the end of 2012, with 91.6% of the population enrolled, two years ahead of the national target. With the establishment of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy under Da Nang University, the city is continuing to build and develop hospitals such as Da Nang Hospital No.2, an international hospital, Phase 2 of the Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, and the Central Pediatrics Hospital on its territory. Da Nang aims to become a major medical center in the Central Highlands and the country.

Education and training:

Education:

Da Nang is the largest educational center in the Central Highlands and Central Coast region. It has 32 high schools, 60 secondary schools, 99 primary schools, 4 kindergartens, 213 preschools, with a total of 1,249 classrooms, 2,422 teachers, and 37.8 thousand students.

Unlike major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang has only one specialized high school, Le Quy Don High School, which is a leading institution in the Central Highlands and nationwide. The high school graduation rate for the city in the 2010-2011 academic year was 96.7%. However, there is an educational quality disparity between the central area and the suburbs, resulting in overcrowding in central schools. Since the 2013-2014 academic year, the People’s Committee has issued a directive that by 2015-2016, all primary schools must accommodate students for two shifts per day, with exceptions made based on capacity for students from outlying areas.

Vocational Education

Da Nang has 64 vocational education institutions, including 13 colleges, 6 intermediate schools, 3 vocational education centers, and 27 other registered vocational education facilities. The current enrollment capacity of these institutions is 52,563 students, with 260 vocational training fields at different levels. The fields of trade and services account for about 66%, followed by the fields of industrial construction at around 31%, and agriculture, forestry, and fisheries at approximately 3%.

Higher Education

Da Nang, the third-largest university center in Vietnam after Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, is a prominent hub for higher education in the Central Highlands and Central Coast region. It houses 1 Regional University, 12 universities, specialized academies, and multi-disciplinary institutions. Additionally, Duy Tan University operates 5 universities, and FPT University has 2 campuses, offering diverse undergraduate and doctoral programs. With over 180,000 students from across the country in 2018, Da Nang exhibits a high demand for higher education, with 89% of residents expressing interest, second only to Ho Chi Minh City. Da Nang University is recognized as one of the five Regional and National Universities in Vietnam, alongside prestigious institutions like National University Ho Chi Minh City, National University Hanoi, Hue University, and Thai Nguyen University. Notably, Duy Tan University stands out as a leading private university in the Central Highlands and Central Coast region, with aspirations to develop a comprehensive university system in the future. Da Nang also hosts 7 universities with branch campuses.

The Ministry of Education and Training has approved a development plan for Da Nang University until 2030, which includes the establishment of new universities and research institutes. Notable additions include the Vietnam-UK International University, to be upgraded from the Vietnam-UK Institute based on a joint declaration between the Vietnamese and UK governments, and the University of Medicine. Additionally, there is a proposal to establish Da Nang National University by reorganizing and upgrading existing universities in the city and neighboring areas. The ambitious Da Nang University Village project aims to cover a total area of 300 hectares and position Da Nang University as one of the country’s three major university centers, as outlined in Resolution 33-NQ/TW by the Politburo. However, currently, only around 50 hectares of the project area have been developed.

Industrial Park

Hoa Khanh Industrial Park Expansion - Da Nang

Investor: Saigon - Da Nang Investment Joint Stock Company (SDN)
Price: 115 USD/m2
Area: 132,6 Ha

Da Nang Seafood Service Industrial Park

Investor: Da Nang Industrial Park Infrastructure Development and Exploitation Company (DAIZICO)
Price: 30 USD/m2
Area: 50.63 Ha

Hoa Khanh Industrial Park

Investor: Da Nang Industrial Park Infrastructure Development and Exploitation Company
Price: 30 USD/m2
Area: 394

Da Nang Hi-tech Park

Investor: Danang Hi-tech Park Management Board
Price: 30 USD/m2
Area: 1.129,76 Ha

Lien Chieu Industrial Park

Investor: Saigon - Danang Investment Joint Stock Company.
Price: 35 USD/m2
Area: 289.35 ha

Hoa Cam Industrial Park

Investor: Hoa Cam Industrial Zone Investment Joint Stock Company
Price: 30 USD/m2
Area: 261

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