Da Nang and Sydney – the surprising similarities between two very different cities

Many will be familiar with Sydney, Australia’s most populous city, boasting breath-taking man-made attractions such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Over 4000 miles away is a city called Da Nang in Vietnam, which may be less well known.

Da Nang is one of Vietnam's major ports and also has an astounding design and engineering icon - the Dragon River Bridge. The local government has ambitious plans to turn it into Vietnam's most liveable city.

So apart from the fact they’re both in the Asia-Pacific region, what else has Sydney and Da Nang got in common?

Going green

Sydney has set big goals for the city, and given them a catchy name too: Sustainable Sydney 2030. The aim is to make Sydney as green, global and connected as possible by 2030. The concept was brought to life after asking residents, visitors, workers and businesses what kind of city they wanted. The plans include reducing carbon emissions with a network of green infrastructure to reduce energy, water and waste water demands. The City of Sydney is also running a Green Villages program to help local residents lead more sustainable lifestyles.

For Da Nang, sustainability is just as important. In 2013, the city launched Da Nang’s Sustainable City Development Project (SCDP), committing to sustainable urban development and green growth. Supported by The World Bank, the project is predicted to cost a total of US$272million, with a key objective of facilitating the sustainable development of Da Nang through improving its urban environment and using energy effectively. Upon completion of the project, Da Nang will become the first city in Vietnam to have a comprehensive and extensive wastewater collection and treatment systems.

Sport cities

In an interview with ABC Television after the 2012 London Olympics, Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr shared his thoughts on the event saying that the title of the best Games will never be taken away from Sydney, and many will agree. The Sydney Olympics wasn’t only an economic success, but a catalyst for Sydney to host further major events in the future, such as the Rugby World Cup and the World Masters Games.

Da Nang doesn’t have Olympic host city status yet, however this year and for the first time ever, the city will be hosting the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Twelve yachts with international crews will make a vital stopover as part of the 40,000 mile global race. Plus, the Olympic Council of Asia has awarded the city the Asian Beach Games Hanoi, with thousands of athletes coming from 45 Asian nations to compete in 14 sports. It will be the second time for Vietnam to host an Asian multi-sports event following the 2009 Asian Indoor Games. Both events will be a major boost for tourism in the city, and will raise Vietnam's position in the international arena.

Building ambition

As a city’s population increases so does its construction projects, and in Da Nang there are more than you can count on the fingers of one hand. Their most ambitious is the US$250 million Da Phuoc International New Town; an entirely new urban area constructed on reclaimed land on the city's North Sea coast, making it the first major land reclamation project in Central Vietnam. Plans for the Da Phuoc project include a hotel and several smaller resorts, a 33-story apartment block and 60-story office block, an 18-hole golf course, a marina, as well as villas and international schools.

While Da Nang constructs a new area, Sydney is revamping an old one: Sydney’s Western Harbour. It is being transformed into one of the most unique waterfront, business and leisure districts in the world, with a world class convention, exhibition and entertainment venue (ICC Sydney), a luxury 5 star hotel, and a vibrant commercial and residential urban village called Darling Square. The ICC Sydney is being touted as Asia Pacific's premier integrated convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct, cementing Sydney's position as one of the world's most desirable meeting and event destinations.

Sydney and Da Nang are constantly evolving and although different in size, they share similar aspirations for sustainable development, transformation, investment, trade and tourism. Both are promoted on the international platform created by the Clipper Race. The Ambassador of Vietnam hosted an event for the Australian travel industry and press to showcase the changing nature of Da Nang at an event inviting a ‘New discovery of Asia’ overlooking the Da Nang – Viet Nam yacht while it was in Sydney Harbour recently, followed up by personal tours and sailing experiences.

Da Nang is a first-time Team Sponsor in this year’s Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, and the city is the host port for the South East Asia stopover in February. It has raised its sights to a global market, and the Clipper Race is a great fit. The yacht is promoting the city and Vietnam to potential new tourist markets in key countries along the entire race route.

Having just completed the Australia leg, the next race in the global series starts on Monday 18 January and heads to Viet Nam. It’s been named The Da Nang New Discovery of Asia Race.

Find out more about Sydney and Da Nang during the Clipper Race port stopovers.