Visit Indochina Welcomes 20 Urban Planning Experts from Malaysia to Da Nang

On June 26, a delegation of 20 top experts in architecture, environmental planning, and urban landscapes from the Kota Kinabalu City Council (Malaysia) visited and exchanged ideas with various departments under the Da Nang People’s Committee.

This meeting was part of a series of activities for the delegation during their visit to Central Vietnam, including stops in Da Nang, Hoi An, and Hue.

Mr. Lifred Wong (left) and Mr. Tán Văn Vương (right) – Deputy Director of Da Nang Department of Tourism

The event was organized with the support and direction of the Da Nang People's Committee, coordinated by Visit Indochina, with the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Da Nang serving as the main liaison, and close cooperation from various other municipal departments.

During the meeting, representatives from the Department of Construction, Department of Agriculture and Environment, and the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism provided a comprehensive overview of Da Nang.

This meeting was part of a series of activities for the delegation during their visit to Central Vietnam

They emphasized that Da Nang is one of the most rapidly developing compact cities in Central Vietnam. Not only is it a key economic and political hub, but it also attracts tens of millions of tourists annually—particularly from Malaysia.

From July 1, Da Nang will officially merge with Quang Nam province under a government plan to create a new metropolitan area of over 3 million people—expected to significantly accelerate the region’s growth. This is considered a historic turning point to solidify Da Nang’s role as the central growth engine of Vietnam.

Mr. Vương speaking and contributing ideas to foster cooperation.

Following the presentation, the Malaysian delegation expressed surprise and admiration at Da Nang’s growth and vision. They asked detailed questions about how the city manages to balance rapid urban development with preserving its unique identity.

After visiting Ba Na Hills and several shopping hubs in the city center, the Malaysian experts were particularly impressed with Da Nang’s organized urban planning despite its bustling atmosphere. They also praised the city's clean, well-managed tourism environment and the friendliness of its people.

“We were amazed that a city of this scale can have everything—from Ba Na Hills, to rivers, beaches, and shopping centers—all harmoniously integrated. How does the government manage to balance development with preserving the environment and landscape?” asked Mr. Lifred Wong, head of the Malaysian delegation.

A successful meeting

Mr. Tan Van Vuong, Deputy Director of the Da Nang Department of Tourism, noted that Da Nang is positioning itself to become a regional urban hub, especially with recent mega projects like the International Financial Center and Vietnam’s first free trade zone. These present huge opportunities for Da Nang to rise as a tourism and economic capital of Central Vietnam.

During the two-hour exchange, both sides shared substantial insights. The Malaysian delegation expressed admiration for Da Nang’s development model and professional governance, and expressed eagerness to host a reciprocal visit from Vietnamese representatives. During their stay, Visit Indochina’s guides led the 20-member delegation to visit iconic destinations such as Dragon Bridge, Linh Ung Pagoda, Ba Na Hills, Marble Mountains, the ancient town of Hoi An, and the Cam Thanh nipa palm forest.