Da Nang's tourism office had a very good September.

First, Lonely Planet put the city on its Best in Travel 2027 list, 50 destinations and experiences chosen by the publisher's writers and editors. Da Nang is the only Vietnamese destination on it, VnExpress International reported. In Asia it shares the destinations list with Okinawa, Chengdu, Gujarat and Fulidhoo in the Maldives.

Lonely Planet writer James Pham sold Da Nang on its "relaxed pace," long beaches, mountains, climate and food, with Son Tra Peninsula for quiet views and easy day trips to Hue, My Son and Hoi An, according to VietnamPlus. The feature image was the Golden Bridge at Sun World Ba Na Hills, and the publisher's three-day itinerary puts Ba Na at the top of day one.

Then, on September 27 in the Maldives, Da Nang businesses collected 13 trophies at the World Travel Awards' Asia, Oceania and Indian Ocean gala: seven Asia-level and six Vietnam-level, according to the city's tourism portal.

Who won

Sun World Ba Na Hills took three (Asia's Leading Theme Park, Asia's Leading Cable Car and Vietnam's Leading Theme Park). InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort took two (Asia's and Vietnam's Leading Luxury Resort). The rest went to Hoi An Memories Resort & Spa, Hoiana Resort & Golf, Shilla Monogram Danang, Bai Bac Bay Villa, Four Points by Sheraton Danang, voco Ma Belle Danang, a beachfront villa at Naman Retreat and Hotel Royal Hoi An Danang.

Notice the pattern: every winner is a business, and the list leans heavily on big resorts and one theme-park operator. These are trophies for businesses, not for the city.

What it means for the rest of us

Praise brings visitors, and visitors are already up. Hotels and other lodgings served about 14.25 million guests in the first eight months of 2026, up 24.9%, including 6.88 million international visitors, up 26.3%, according to city tourism data cited by VnExpress International.

That's good news for jobs, restaurants and the budget. It also means more pressure on the same beaches, the same Son Tra roads and the same rental housing that residents use. Look at what Lonely Planet actually praised: the relaxed pace, the uncrowded peninsula, the food. Those are the things that disappear first when a "best of" list does its job.

The city should take the win, and then plan for keeping the relaxed pace that won it.

Sources

This story was compiled by the Da Nang Voice news desk from the published sources listed above. Facts, figures and quotes are attributed to those sources; Da Nang Voice did not conduct interviews for it unless the text says so. Corrections are dated and noted at the top of the story. Read our corrections policy. Spotted an error? Tell us.