Of all the cities in Southeast Asia, I see Da Nang as the one with the most potential for transformation from a provincial city to a global destination.
Da Nang is the third-largest city in Vietnam, roughly halfway between Hanoi and Saigon. Being located in central Vietnam makes it an attractive base for businesses serving all of Vietnam. The city is located on a river by the sea, with mountains a short distance away. The airport is a ten minute drive from the central city area, and it’s the terminus of the East–West Economic Corridor, which will one day link Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar.
Tourists usually fly to Danang and go straight to Hoi An. I can see a future where Da Nang becomes the destination in itself, and you visit Hoi An as a side trip. On my last trip to Da Nang I thought that one of the Middle East carriers would soon be flying there, and sure enough Qatar are adding Da Nang to their network.
And then there is China. Geographically, Da Nang is one of the closest tropical cities to China. It’s already apparent that Chinese tourism will play a big role in the future of Da Nang.
At the time of this post, there were flights from 25 cities in China (Beihai, Beijing, Chengdu, Dalian, Guangzhou, Guiyang, Haikou, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Huai’an, Jinan, Lanzhou, Macau, Nanchang, Nanning, Sanya, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Shijiazhuang, Tianjin, Wuhan, Wuxi, Xi’an, Zhengzhou, Zunyi).
The stretch of beach between Da Nang and Hoi An will eventually be lined with resorts to cater for this tourism boom. It remains to be seen if these developments are managed responsibly, as there are already reports of erosion on some beaches as a result of construction and nearby hydropower dams.
Here are some of the big projects that are underway or are planned in the future. I’ll be continually updating this list, so let me know if there are any new ones to be added.
Times Square Da Nang
Address: Corner Pham Van Dong and Vo Nguyen Giap
News: skyscrapercity.com
Occupying a prime location on the seafront, Times Square Da Nang is set to become a landmark of beachside Da Nang with two 50-storey towers dominating the skyline. The complex also includes a 31-storey, 30-storey, and 24-storey tower.
M Landmark Residences, Marriott Courtyard and Marriott Executive Apartments
Address: 58 Bach Dang, Hai Chau District, Da Nang.
News: skyscrapercity.com
M Landmark Residences, Marriott Courtyard and Marriott Executive Apartments Da Nang. This is between the Han River Bridge and the Hilton. With the government office tower and the Novotel nearby, this stretch of the riverfront is accumulating an impressive skyline.
Wyndham Soleil Danang
[Image via skyscrapercenter.com.]
Address: Corner Vo Nguyen Giap and Pham Van Dong, Da Nang.
News: skyscrapercity.com
The Wyndham Soleil Danang will be the tallest building in Danang at 199 metres. I’m amazed the designers had such self-control to not add another metre on top and round it up to 200 metres.
The four-tower complex will stand at 57-storeys at its tallest point and will consist of hotel rooms, apartments, conference facilities, and retail.
Premier Sky Residences
Address: 29 Vo Nguyen Giap.
Website: premiersky.vn
Apartment project next to the Four Points by Sheraton Danang.
Holiday Inn Danang
[Image via coreasiapm.com.]
Address: Corner Hoang Sa and Nguyen Huy Chuong.
News: skyscrapercity.com
The Holiday Inn Danang is a seafront development that will stand 41 storeys / 150 metres high and will include apartments along with the hotel.
Cocobay
Address: Cocobay Complex, Group 53 Tan Tra, Truong Sa, Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang.
Website: cocobay.vn
News: skyscrapercity.com
Cocobay is a development between Danang and Hoi An which will be a self-contained destination leisure city. In addition to hotels and apartments, there will be an amusement park, live entertainment complexes, theatres, sporting facilities, a pedestrian street with activities, restaurants, and a beach club to name the main highlights.
The centrepiece of the project is Cocobay Towers. The twin towers of approximately 200 metres will be connected by two sky bridges that form a loop on the 48th floor.
[Image via atkinsglobal.com.]
If you’ve flown around Vietnam in the last few years you might have seen Ronaldo promoting the development on airport billboards and inflight magazines.
[Ronaldo advertising Cocobay in the Vietnam Airlines inflight magazine, November 2017.]
Golf View Luxury Apartment Da Nang
Address: Truong Sa, Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang.
Website: golfviewdanang.vn
Developer: Landora
Golf View Da Nang is situated next to Cocobay and opposite the Montgomerie Links golf course.
Sunrise Bay Da Nang
News: skyscrapercity.com
Sunrise Bay is a proposed development in Da Nang Bay, to the north of the city. It started out as Danang D-City in 2007 and it is still waiting to get started.
It’s unclear if that is part of another proposal of a Dubai-like urban area, which is also in the bay. This would be in the flight path of the airport so there wouldn’t be any Dubai-like skyscrapers there.
Hilton Da Nang Hotel Complex
Address: 50 Bach Dang.
News: skyscrapercity.com
Hilton Da Nang Hotel Complex has a prime location near the Han River Bridge. In between the two towers is a restaurant on a distinctive concrete lattice podium.
Golden Square
[Image via alphanam.com.vn]
Address: 71 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Da Nang.
News: skyscrapercity.com
The Golden Square project occupies a city block opposite Hung Vuong Park and near the Trung Vuong Theater. The complex features three towers (21 floors, 27 floors, and 38 floors) and will include a hotel and apartments, with a retail podium.
Further Reading:
Da Nang’s Golden Square coming back to life – [17/10/16]
Regis Bay Da Nang
[Image via techgel.com.]
Address: 17 Quang Trung, Hai Chau, Da Nang.
Regis Bay is a five-star hotel project by the REGIS group from Singapore.
Da Nang City Center Square
[Image via inhabitat.com]
Da Nang City Center Square is a proposed public plaza by the Han River in downtown Danang. The square would encompass Bach Dang along the river, Nguyen Thai Hoc, Phan Chau Trinh, and Hung Vuong streets. The area would include landscaped gardens and water features, with a canopy inspired by a lotus.
One report says it will include a rebuilt Han Market, so it seems that the current market building would be demolished.
IMG Da Nang
[Image via img.vn]
Address: Lot No. A2 Commercial High-rise Commercial Complex, Da Nang.
IMG Da Nang is a proposed 5-Star hotel and apartment development on Bach Dang, near the Dragon Bridge.
Movenpick Han River – Risemount Apartment Da Nang
Address: Nhu Nguyet (riverfront), Xuan Dieu (West border), Do Xuan Cat (South border), Da Nang.
Website: Movenpick Han River and Risemount Apartment Da Nang.
News: skyscrapercity.com.
The Movenpick Han River and Risemount Apartment Da Nang is a two-tower project by Risemount on the West Han River.
The Mövenpick Hotels & Residences Han River Da Nang is a 5-star hotel and luxury apartment complex with 143 guest rooms and 222 luxury apartments. The Risemount Apartment Da Nang will feature a business centre and luxury apartments.
Infinity Field
[Image via humphreys.com]
Address: Vo Nguyen Giap, Da Nang.
On the beachfront in My An ward is this proposed 2-tower development up to 40-stories high.
Hilton Garden Inn
Address: Vo Nguyen Giap, Da Nang.
The second Hilton-branded hotel to arrive in Da Nang, and other big brand name on the seafront.
Danang Sky Garden
[Image via sdesign.com.vn.]
Address: Hoang Sa, Da Nang.
VV Mall and JW Marriott
[Photo via reic.vn.]
Address: 8 Vo Nguyen Giap, Khue My, Ngu Hanh Sơn, Danang.
Ariyana Beach Resort & Suites
Address: 107 Vo Nguyen Giap, Ngu Hanh Sơn, Da Nang.
Website: ariyana.vn
Risemount Ocean Ward
Address: Lot 7.1 and 7.2, Phuoc My Ward, Son Tra District, Da Nang City.
Website: risemount.com.vn.
The Risemount Ocean Ward a hotel and serviced apartments. The project is in the development phase.
Han Riverside
[Image via skyscrapercity.com]
News: skyscrapercity.com
Han Riverside features 4 x 33-floor towers at the northern end of the Han River, next to the Movenpick project.
Son Tra Peninsula
[Image via som.com]
Last but not least controversially is Son Tra Peninsula, which remains under threat from over-development. Officials have already suspended construction of one unauthorized resort, though it seems it is only a matter of time before more development continues.
The plan from Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP (SOM) is at least sympathetic to the natural environment to the peninsula. It proposes to designate the island a national park, while building compact, higher-density developments.
A HOLLYWOOD-style DANANG sign is also planned for the peninsula (or you could also say a PATTAYA-style sign).
Cancelled / Never Built
[Image via english.vietnamnet.vn.]
News Updates
Da Nang to dismantle unlicensed portions of Muong Thanh hotel – [10/03/21]
Underneath the Hai Van pass is the beautiful seascape & mountains of Da Nang Bay! I wonder why the city had never mention of building city and skyscrapers along that peninsula north of Da Nang bay. It will bring the bay view to life! Look like Hong Kong. I used to grew up on Thanh Khe beach, and these are the fantasies I always have for my hometown during the years away from my country.
Hello, how many of this projects are finished? Where can I check?
News updates can also be found at https://www.skyscrapercity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=4143