An agreement on the open of the air route connecting Da Nang with Can Tho, starting from 24 December this year, was made by leaders of the cities of Da Nang, Can Tho and Vietnam Airlines at a recent meeting in the city. This will be one of the important events to mark the 10th anniversary of Can Tho to become a city under the direct administration of the central government.

The InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort has won the titles “Asia’s Leading New Resort 2013” and “Viet Nam’s Leading Resort 2013” in the World Travel Awards. The awarding ceremony was held recently in Dubai.

A ceremony took place in Da Nang on 3 October to present Laos’ Orders and Medals to 25 officials and government agencies of the city. The awards were given in recognition of their contributions to supporting the development of Laos, and tightening the special friendly relationship between the two parties, the States and people of Viet Nam and Laos.

The Oktoberfest will take place at Furama Resort Danang today and tomorrow (4 and 5 of October) from 6pm till 10pm at the Courtyard and Hai Van Lounge at VND 525,000++/adult. Guests will be able to enjoy the authentic atmosphere found in the massive beer halls of the original Oktoberfest; premium imported German beer such as Erdinger and Bitburger; and diversified finger-food like smoke bacon, sausage, biscuits, fried potato...

The rate of helmet wearing by children when travelling in Da Nang has increased from 12.7% to 34.7%. The figure was reported at a recent meeting to sum up the 2nd phase of the “Children also Need a Helmet” campaign in the city. The event was held by the city’s Traffic Safety Board, the Department of Education and Training, the Road and Railway Traffic Police Division, and the Asia Injury Prevention Foundation (AIP).

About 130 stands of Vietnamese enterprises will display, introduce and sell their products at a fair of Vietnamese goods which begins on 12 October at the 29/3 Park. Goods will include garments, textiles, footwear, foods, consumer goods, drinks, ceramics and handicrafts.

It is reported that in total approximately 2.54 million tourists came to Da Nang in the first 9 months of 2013, a year-on-year increase of 19.6%, and brought the city a total turnover of more than 6,084 billion VND. This number included around 2 million domestic visitors, an increase of 20.5% over the same period last year, and more than 555,000 foreign visitors, up 16.5% year-on-year.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan has recently approved the Ministry of Education and Training to establish the Viet Nam – UK Training and Research Institute as part of the University of Da Nang. The Institute will be upgraded into the Viet Nam - UK University when meeting all necessary conditions.

Cooperation opportunities in architectural and urban planning between the Japan’s Nikken Sekkei Group and Da Nang authorities and the city’s enterprises were discussed at a recent meeting between the Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee, Mr Van Huu Chien, and Nikken Sekkei’s Executive Director, Mr Shinji Yamamura.

On 1 September, the Da Nang International Marathon 2013 entitled “Da Nang - A Festival Day of the Sun and Sea” took place at Pham Van Dong Beach with the participation of more than 3,000 domestic runners and about 300 international competitors from 23 countries and territories. The races were organised by the Da Nang People’s Committee and the World Marathon Tours Inc whose head office is in Houston, Texas, USA.