- Đà Nẵng promotes economic diplomacy, mobilizing resources for sustainable development  

- Inauguration of the Vietnam International Finance Center in Đà Nẵng city  

- Ready to enter a breakthrough development phase  

- Promoting international cooperation in depth, substantively, and effectively  

- Chairman of the City People's Council Nguyễn Đức Dũng receives a working delegation from Salavan Province (Laos)  

- The 4th Đà Nẵng Asia Film Festival is scheduled to take place from June 28 to July 4, 2026  

- Đà Nẵng develops human resources for the Financial Center linked to green finance  

- "United Horizons – Connecting Frontiers" selected as the theme for DIFF 2026  

- Opening of the International Semiconductor Conference  

- Hoàng Dư Khương Primary School wins the Cup and Gold Medal at the World Robotics Arena  

- Đà Nẵng continues to affirm its position as a professional and attractive MICE destination  

- A Vương and Hùng Sơn communes visit and present gifts to the cluster of villages in Kạ Lừm District, Sekong Province (Laos)

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Đà Nẵng promotes economic diplomacy, mobilizing resources for sustainable development

On the evening of January 10 in Hanoi, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính presided over a conference with ambassadors and heads of Vietnamese representative agencies abroad to review the economic diplomacy work of 2025 and implement tasks for 2026.

The Prime Minister highly appreciated the achieved results, affirming that economic diplomacy is an important pillar of foreign affairs, contributing to maintaining a peaceful and stable environment and effectively mobilizing resources for sustainable development. Moving into 2026, the Prime Minister called for a continued renewal of thinking, implementing economic diplomacy in a proactive and substantive manner; promoting investment, trade, and tourism; attracting high-quality resources, and advancing digital transformation, green transition, and innovation.

In 2026, Đà Nẵng will continue to strengthen its foreign relations, focusing on economic diplomacy, and concentrate on attracting resources for new growth drivers such as the digital economy, green economy, semiconductor industry, and artificial intelligence; enhancing investment, trade, and tourism promotion, while also advancing cultural diplomacy and promoting the city's image.

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Inauguration of the Vietnam International Finance Center in Đà Nẵng city

On the afternoon of January 9, at Software Park No. 2, the city of Đà Nẵng held the inauguration ceremony of the Vietnam International Financial Center (VIFC) in Đà Nẵng, officially putting the VIFC model into operation in accordance with Government Decree No. 323/ND-CP.

Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Hòa Bình highly appreciated Đà Nẵng's proactive and decisive spirit in concretizing the central government's policy, preparing infrastructure and organizational apparatus, affirming that this is a historic institutional breakthrough, creating an exceptional legal framework to attract high-quality international capital. With the advantages of its geo-economic location, modern digital

infrastructure, and dynamic administration, Đà Nẵng is identified as a new growth driver in the "one center, two destinations" strategy.

At the inauguration ceremony, the Vietnam Securities Information Portal in Đà Nẵng was officially launched. The city is committed to developing the Securities Information Portal according to international standards, ensuring transparency and security; maintaining a streamlined and professional administrative system; focusing on investors and the market; promoting international cooperation; and gradually forming a modern financial ecosystem, contributing to the sustainable development of Đà Nẵng and the nation.

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Ready to enter a breakthrough development phase

On the afternoon of January 9th, at the Ariyana International Convention Center, the City People's Committee organized a conference to announce Resolution No. 259/2025/QH15 of the National Assembly and to promote investment in Đà Nẵng in 2026.

Chairman of the City People's Committee, Phạm Đức Ấn, emphasized the importance of the National Assembly's resolutions in addressing institutional bottlenecks, improving the legal framework, and creating an open and preferential environment to attract investment, identifying this as a key political task of the city.

In the development strategy for 2026 and the subsequent period, the city prioritizes the development of sustainable economic ecosystems, focusing on key sectors such as high technology, digital transformation, logistics, urban infrastructure, finance, processing and manufacturing industries, high-tech agriculture, and medicinal plant industries. At the same time, the city is committed to providing the most favorable conditions for businesses to confidently invest and develop.

At the conference, the City People's Committee also presented investment agreement decisions for 36 key projects, ushering in a new phase of investment attraction with high expectations.

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Promoting international in depth cooperation, substantively, and effectively

On the evening of January 9, the City People's Committee organized the event “Meet Đà Nẵng – Meet Đà Nẵng 2026,” through which it conveyed a message about a Đà Nẵng ready to enter a new phase of development with a renewed mindset, vision, and

an action-oriented government that decisively innovates to promote international cooperation in a deep, practical, and effective manner.

Chairman of the City People's Committee, Phạm Đức Ấn, emphasized that 2025 is a particularly important milestone with the unification of Đà Nẵng City and Quảng Nam Province, expanding space and development potential, while implementing a streamlined, efficient, and effective two-tier local government model. This serves as a foundation for the city to make a breakthrough, achieve sustainable development, and affirm its role as the economic, social, and financial hub and growth pole of the Central – Central Highlands region.

To date, the city has established cooperative relations with 62 localities across 24 countries through 121 signed agreements. The Chairman of the City People's Committee expressed his sincere appreciation and gratitude for the support of diplomatic agencies, international organizations, FDI enterprises, and the foreign community, while also hoping that partners will continue to engage and support the city in its new development phase.

Within the framework of the event, an exhibition showcasing the city's outstanding achievements in 2025 was held, along with activities allowing participants to experience traditional Vietnamese Tết culture, such as making Bánh Chưng, calligraphy writing, and creating meaningful cultural exchange spaces, contributing to promoting the image of a dynamic, open, and integrated Đà Nẵng.

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Chairman of the City People's Council Nguyễn Đức Dũng receives a working delegation from Salavan Province (Laos)

On the afternoon of January 7, Nguyễn Đức Dũng, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee and Chairman of the City People's Council, presided over a reception for a delegation of officials from Salavan Province (Lao PDR) led by Mr. Siheang Homsombat, Head of the National Assembly Delegation for Electoral District No. 14 and Chairman of the Salavan Provincial People's Council, who came to visit and extend Lunar New Year greetings in preparation for the traditional New Year celebrations.

At the meeting, Mr. Siheang Homsombat wished the officials and people of Đà Nẵng a warm and happy Tết; he highly appreciated the city's socio-economic development achievements, and expressed a desire for the two localities to continue expanding cooperation in areas of mutual strength and similarity, particularly in investment, with a commitment to creating favorable conditions for Đà Nẵng businesses in Salavan.

Chairman of the City People's Council Nguyễn Đức Dũng sincerely thanked the delegation and affirmed that Đà Nẵng always values and prioritizes the development of

traditional friendship relations with Laos localities, including Salavan. Regarding students from the Central–Southern provinces of Laos for the 2025–2026 academic year, the city has increased the scholarship amount to 100% (for attending university?).

Both sides agreed to continue promoting comprehensive cooperation, especially in education and training, exchanging experiences among representative agencies, staff exchanges, investment promotion, trade, and tourism; maintaining delegation exchanges, with planned visits and working sessions in 2026.

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The 4th Đà Nẵng Asia Film Festival is scheduled to take place from June 28 to July 4, 2026

On the afternoon of January 5, Chairman of the City People's Committee Phạm Đức Ấn held a meeting with the Vietnam Cinema Development Promotion Association to discuss the plan for organizing the 4th Đà Nẵng Asia Film Festival (DANAFF IV) in 2026.

According to the plan, DANAFF IV is expected to take place from June 28 to July 4, 2026, with the motto “DANAFF – A Bridge from Asia to the World.” The main activities will include the opening and closing ceremonies (opening and closing ceremonies are not considered part of the main activities for an event), as well as the awards presentation held at the Ariyana International Conference Center; screenings of competitive and non-competitive films; and training, promotion, and networking activities in the field of cinema. In addition, there will be numerous side events such as the DANAFF booths, outdoor film screenings, press interactions, and meetings with domestic and international artists and filmmakers.

This year's film festival focuses on professional activities such as workshops on the film industry, intellectual property, advanced classes with international experts, youth talent programs, film project markets, and screenwriting training.

DANAFF IV is expected to attract approximately 900 delegates, including 200 international guests; the main programs will be broadcast live on VTV and Đà Nẵng Radio and Television.

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Đà Nẵng develops human resources for the Financial Center linked to green finance

On the morning of January 8, Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee, Hồ Kỳ Minh, presided over a meeting with Ms. Jane Rexworthy, Chair of the UK Skills Partnership (United Kingdom), to discuss skill requirements and human resource development in the field of green finance.

At the meeting, the Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee informed that Đà Nẵng will officially inaugurate the Executive Agency of the International Financial Center on January 9, 2026. In the coming period, the city will focus on consolidating its organizational structure, perfecting operational mechanisms, implementing the "one-stop - single-window" model, while prioritizing the development of fintech, green finance, green transformation, trade finance, and digital assets in accordance with international standards. The Vietnam International Financial Center in Đà Nẵng is oriented to develop based on three pillars: green finance, trade finance, and financial technology – digital assets.

To date, more than 10 investors, including joint ventures from the Middle East, Singapore, and the United States, have expressed interest and a desire to become strategic investors. Ms. Jane Rexworthy proposed coordinating the implementation of flexible short-term training programs in fintech, digital assets, and green finance. The city affirmed its readiness to cooperate with the UK Skills Partnership to develop a high-quality workforce to serve the International Financial Center.

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"United Horizons – Connecting Frontiers" selected as the theme for DIFF 2026

On the afternoon of January 7, Vice Chairwoman of the City People's Committee Nguyễn Thị Anh Thi chaired a meeting to hear reports and provide opinions on the draft Plan for organizing the Đà Nẵng International Fireworks Festival 2026 (DIFF 2026). City leaders agreed to choose this year's theme as “United Horizons – Connecting Horizons,” conveying a message about a dynamic, integrated city that is a destination for cultural exchange, creativity, and international connectivity.

According to the draft plan, DIFF 2026 is expected to take place from May 30 to July 11, 2026, in the Han River Port area. The festival will feature 10 fireworks teams from Vietnam and several countries and territories worldwide, including China, Italy, Germany, Portugal, France, Japan, Macau, and Australia.

The competition nights will be held weekly, with each team performing for 20 to 22 minutes according to the 2026 theme. The prize structure includes a Grand Champion prize worth USD 20,000, a Runner-up will be awarded USD 10,000, and additional awards such as the Most Popular Team, Creative Award, and Promising Award.

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Opening of the International Semiconductor Conference

On the morning of January 6, the Vietnam-Korea University of Information and Communication Technology (VKU), under the University of Danang, in collaboration with the Korean Semiconductor Engineers Association (ISE), organized the ICOS 2026 International Seminar on Semiconductors. This is the first in-depth international scientific seminar on integrated semiconductor circuits to be held in the central region as well as in Vietnam, taking place from January 5 to 7, 2026, in Đà Nẵng city.

Hosting ICOS 2026 holds significant importance in promoting research collaboration, academic exchange, and knowledge transfer in the field of semiconductors; it also contributes to the realization of the goal of developing Đà Nẵng into a center for high technology, innovation, and high-quality human resource development for the central region and the entire country.

With its scale and specialized focus, ICOS 2026 is expected to leave a prominent academic mark, contribute to the sustainable development of the Vietnamese semiconductor community, and enhance the image of Đà Nẵng as a dynamic, innovative, and globally integrated city in the international science and technology arena.

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Hoàng Dư Khương Primary School wins the Cup and Gold Medal at the World Robotics Arena

From January 4 to 11, the student team of Hoàng Dư Khương Primary School (Cẩm Lệ Ward) participated in the World Robotics Competition in Jiangsu, China, and impressively secured a Top 10 World Cup along with 2 Gold Medals. This year's competition brought together more than 1,000 teams from various countries and territories, serving as a large-scale and highly competitive science and technology forum.

The team, consisting of two students, Ninh Quang Ngọc (Grade 5/1) and Phan Trần An An (Grade 5/6), under the guidance of Ms. Lê Thị Hướng, demonstrated outstanding creative thinking, programming skills, and robot control abilities, winning the admiration of both the judging panel and international competing teams.

This achievement affirms the quality of education at Hoàng Dư Khương Primary School and highlights the effectiveness of implementing STEM education, contributing to the promotion of creativity and international integration in the city’s education sector amid the context of digital transformation.

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Đà Nẵng continues to affirm its position as a professional and attractive MICE destination

The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the city has officially launched the 2026 MICE Tourism Promotion Program in Đà Nẵng (MICE Đà Nẵng 2026), focusing on businesses and the experiences of tourist groups, facilitating momentum, and contributing to establishing Đà Nẵng as a reputable MICE destination for domestic and international companies and corporations.

In 2026, the program will be implemented under the theme “Đà Nẵng – Elevating the MICE Tourism Experience,” running throughout the year, aiming to welcome and support nearly 93,000 visitors, an increase of approximately 12% compared to 2025. The program emphasizes three notable innovations: expanding the scope of application by adjusting the minimum group size for domestic MICE groups to 70 participants and international groups to 30 participants; for the first time, introducing a policy to honor and express gratitude to outstanding MICE enterprises, associated with specific and practical promotional benefits; and additionally, providing a separate support mechanism for returning groups from their second visit onwards under the designation of “Preferred MICE Partner.”

At the same time, the city is also strengthening the utilization of international markets, promoting public-private cooperation, standardizing MICE service quality, and developing specialized MICE products.

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A Vương and Hùng Sơn communes visit and present gifts to the cluster of villages in Kạ Lừm District, Sekong Province (Laos)

On January 10th, at the Ga Ry Border Guard Station, a working delegation from A Vương Commune, led by the Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of the Commune, Briu Quân, visited and presented gifts to the people of Bhalêê and Chi Tơ villages (Kà Lừm District, Sê Kông Province, Laos). The delegation gave 120 gift packages including rice, instant noodles, warm blankets, dried fish, and essential items, with a total value of 240 million VND; they also presented gifts to the Tây Giang – Kạ Lừm border checkpoint, the 534th Company, and local students.

On the same day, a working delegation from the Party Committee and People's Committee of Hùng Sơn Commune, led by the Chairman of the People's Committee, ZơRâm Buôn, visited and presented gifts to residents of the border villages Tavàng, Bhalêê, and Chi Đhơ (Kà Lừm District), with a total cost of 643 million VND.

These activities contributed to sharing the difficulties and supporting the local population in stabilizing their lives, while also strengthening the traditional friendship and special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos, consolidating national defense and security, and maintaining order and safety in the border area.