The strategic partnership between Viet Nam and Germany, and its prospects in Da Nang, were discussed at a seminar in Da Nang recently. The event was held by the Central Viet Nam–Germany Friendship Association (VGFA) and its Da Nang branch, and the Viet Nam office of Germany’s Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung organisation (FES).

The Japanese government will help Da Nang to establish a smart transport network, which would help the city to avoid such common traffic problems as in other big cities. The Japanese support will involve the application of information and communication technology (ICT) systems to improve Da Nang’s public transport services, smart parking lots, Global Positioning System (GPS) in the management of public transport systems, and a geographic information system (GIS) to identify public transport corridors and assist the management of land use along these corridors.

First priority in the collaboration between Da Nang and IBM in the near future will be given to transport. This was the agreement reached between the Chairman of Da Nang People’s Committee, Mr Van Huu Chien, and IBM Viet Nam during a recent visit to Da Nang by a delegation from the company which was led by its Vice Director General, Mr Thieu Phuong Nam.

The Taiwan-based airline Far Eastern Air Transport will bring visitors from this territory to Da Nang on one charter flight every five days, starting from 14 December. Vitours Tourism Company will offer services to these tourists. The news was announced recently by Mr Tran Chi Cuong, Vice Director of the Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

2012 was a successful year for attracting international cruise visitors to Da Nang in spite of the ongoing global economic crisis. A total of 55 cruise ships have berthed at Tien Sa Port, an increase of 13 over last year. The figure was reported by the city’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism on 28 November.

Viet Nam were the winners of the Asian Youth Diving Championships 2012, which ended in Da Nang on 9 November, bringing home 14 golds, 4 silvers and 6 bronzes. The Korean divers ranked second with 5 golds, 10 silvers and 9 bronzes, and in third place were Taiwan (China) with 5 golds, 4 silvers and 1 bronze.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will provide 9 million USD of funding to implement the second phase of its project to support the city’s disabled people over the next 3 years. The funding allocation was announced by Mr Joekim Parker, the new director of USAID, in a recent meeting with the Vice Chairman of Da Nang’s People Committee, Mr Nguyen Xuan Anh.

The Da Nang People’s Committee has approved World Marathon Tours Inc (head office in Houston, Texas, the USA) as organiser of the Da Nang International Marathon 2013 on 1 September 2013. The Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) will be the consultant for the event.

The Da Nang International Lighting and Visual Arts Contest (DILVAC) is scheduled to take place in the city from 26 to 27 April 2014. Da Nang People’s Committee has given approval for the organisation of this contest, which has been proposed by the B Plus Media Co Ltd. It is expected that David Atkins Enterprises of Australia will be the consultant for the event.

The British Council will bring the UK Education Exhibition 2012 to Da Nang’s Mercure Hotel today, 23 October (2-5pm). It will follow on from Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City on 20 and 21 October respectively.