The international route connecting Dubai (UAE), Bangkok (Thailand), and Da Nang City (Vietnam) will officially open on June 2. Operated by Emirates Airlines, the flight will run four times a week.

According to Tan Van Vuong, Deputy Director of Da Nang’s Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, the city is implementing measures to attract Halal tourists from the Middle East, considered among the world’s top spenders in tourism.

Currently, Da Nang has 1,290 lodging establishments with 46,000 rooms, including 111 four-star and five-star hotels offering 22,000 rooms. Many upscale hotels and resorts are managed by hospitality groups such as IHG, Accor, and Hilton.

Da Nang offers 8,000 food and beverage venues, including 30 Halal, Indian, or Muslim-friendly restaurants, some Halal-certified, and over 20 vegan or vegetarian spots suited to regional tastes.

Vuong emphasized that Middle Eastern tourists expect high service quality, matching Da Nang’s offerings.

The city has also trained hospitality staff in Muslim customs, such as using the right hand, avoiding uninitiated handshakes with women, and respecting prayer times. Arabic and Russian will appear in signage and materials, with multilingual guides in development.

Hotels and restaurants are adapting to Muslim guests with Halal-compliant food, alcohol-free rooms, prayer spaces, and amenities like rugs and Qurans available upon request.

A Muslim prayer room has also been established at Da Nang International Terminal. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Dong

“The Middle East is a key market for Da Nang. This new route is a strategic step to attract regional tourists and boost central Vietnam’s global profile,” Vuong said at a May 27 press conference.

Cao Tri Dung, Chairman of the Da Nang Tourism Association, said the new Dubai – Bangkok – Da Nang route will boost connectivity from the Middle East and Europe, especially from markets lacking direct flights.

“The direct flight is an opportunity for the city to target high and ultra-high-income tourists,” he said.