The Lights Are On, Tourism’s Doors Are Open to Competition

Illuminating the Night: Exploring Vietnam’s Vibrant Nighttime Destinations

Each night, around 8 pm, in Sunset Town (Phu Quoc), streams of tourists flock to the French-produced multimedia performance, ‘Kiss of the Sea’. This vibrant show injects energy into the island’s nightlife. The finale, a fireworks display, illuminates the island’s sky, followed by applause from thousands of spectators. The lively atmosphere continues as people disperse to brightly lit restaurants, joining the lively atmosphere at Sunset Town or the seaside night market, Vui Fest, until late… A unique experience not to be missed is exploring the Phu Quoc Brew House craft beer workshop or gathering with friends for fresh beer at Sun Bavaria Gastropub by the beach.

Phu Quoc deserves praise for its diverse offerings, creating a bustling tourism hub with exciting day and night activities. This popularity is reflected in the island’s impressive aviation statistics, with up to 38-40 international flights arriving daily. Phu Quoc Airport boasts the highest growth rate in the region, reaching 185%. In 2024, the island city welcomed 5.9 million visitors, generating over VND 21,170 billion in revenue, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.

The Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) is one of the city’s iconic tourism products.

Heading north to central Vietnam, Da Nang, the leading event and festival destination in Asia, offers vibrant, sleepless summer nights. Beyond the allure of the international fireworks display, DIFF, Da Nang has boldly invested in numerous nighttime tourism products to cater to a range of tastes. From Son Tra Night Market, Helio Night Market, Bach Dang walking street, An Thuong tourist area, My Khe night beach, to new entertainment districts like Da Nang Downtown, featuring well-invested attractions such as Vui Fest night market and ‘Symphony of River’ show, visitors are spoiled for choice. These diverse offerings encourage longer stays and boost tourism revenue.

It’s no surprise that Da Nang’s tourism industry has experienced literal ‘sleepless nights’: sleepless with excitement over impressive growth rates and sleepless nights of fun, especially during DIFF.

Da Nang’s diverse nighttime tourism products attract visitors and extend their stay.

In October 2024, the city’s tourism sector achieved its annual target. The estimated number of visitors served by accommodation establishments in 2024 reached nearly 10.9 million, a 135% increase compared to 2019, with a total revenue of nearly VND 27,000 billion. For 2025, the Han River city is expected to welcome approximately 6.7 million international visitors to and from Da Nang International Airport, with new flight routes continuously being promoted.

These success stories serve as exemplary models for other localities to emulate. They are a testament to the continuous innovation in product development, service enhancement, and the harmonious collaboration between the public and private sectors to create a robust tourism ecosystem.

Nighttime Economy Lights Up Tourism Destinations

According to experts, nighttime economy models offer a competitive advantage, creating unique attractions and distinct identities for each locality. The more diverse and vibrant the nighttime economy, the longer visitors tend to stay, and the more they are inclined to spend.

Numerous countries have demonstrated the enormous benefits of investing in nighttime economy models. For instance, in Australia, the nighttime industry generates over 1.1 million jobs, contributing approximately 4% to the country’s GDP. Similarly, in the UK, the sector accounts for 6% of GDP and provides over 1.3 million jobs. Within the region, nighttime tourism contributes about 11% to the total value of the tourism industry and approximately 2% to Thailand’s GDP.

The nighttime economy generates substantial revenue for leading tourism destinations.

In Vietnam, the government issued the “Scheme for Nighttime Economic Development in Vietnam” in 2020, aiming to tap into the potential of the nighttime economy.

According to Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Director of the Institute for Tourism Development Research, “The nighttime economy demands high creativity. To succeed, it requires a harmonious combination of infrastructure, services, and captivating products.” What we need now is a comprehensive scheme involving the government, businesses, and the community. While we have a development scheme for the nighttime economy, we also need specific mechanisms and policies to encourage investors to participate in this industry.”

In destinations like Da Nang and Phu Quoc, which have achieved initial success, the impact of large-scale tourism enterprises is evident. They have introduced diverse entertainment complexes, modern infrastructure, professional services, and competitive products, such as large-scale theme parks, world-class shows, nightly fireworks displays, and creative night markets showcasing local culture and cuisine.

The development of Vietnam’s nighttime economy bears the imprint of major tourism players.

This involvement needs to be replicated in other localities, especially key tourism destinations. According to Dr. Vo Tri Thanh, former Deputy Director of the Central Institute for Economic Management, to maximize the effectiveness of the government’s scheme, there should be “a conductor—a group or a mechanism involving multiple parties, including experts, policymakers, and large enterprises, to provide a comprehensive perspective on the nighttime economy.”

For Vietnam, the nighttime economy remains a vast untapped opportunity with immense potential. To keep pace with the dynamic global tourism industry, Vietnam must seize the initiative to unlock this industry’s potential and solidify its position as a leading tourism destination.