Vietnam Airlines flight VN337 landed at Da Nang International Airport at noon on 3/7, marking the resumption of the direct route between the city and Osaka, Japan. The event, held in the international terminal, was attended by the Japanese Consul General in Da Nang, tourism officials, and representatives from various related agencies.

Passengers check in at Da Nang Airport. Photo: Nguyen Dong

Passengers check in at Da Nang Airport. Photo: Nguyen Dong

More than 180 passengers on the flight were greeted with a performance showcasing Vietnamese and Japanese culture. The first three passengers to disembark received flowers, souvenirs, and round-trip tickets between Japan and Vietnam from the airline. All other passengers received Danang FantastiCity gift bags and vouchers for local tourism services.

A Vietnam Airlines representative said Japan is a key international market with an average growth rate of 20% annually. The resumption of the Osaka - Da Nang route with 4 flights per week, combined with the Narita - Da Nang route, brings the total number of flights between the city and Japan to 11 per week.

The Da Nang Department of Tourism stated that the resumption of the direct flight route not only expands opportunities to welcome tourists but also promotes cultural, sports, and trade exchanges between central Vietnam and major Japanese cities.

In the first six months of the year, Da Nang welcomed over 108,000 Japanese tourists, accounting for 4.1% of total international visitors, a slight increase compared to the same period last year. This is considered a step forward in efforts to restore the international aviation network and develop tourism and trade.

The flight resumption event took place just two weeks before the VnExpress Marathon Da Nang 2025, a large-scale running event scheduled for the morning of 20/7. Nearly 300 international runners have registered for this year's event. Japan has the second highest number of runners with 22 athletes, following South Korea.

"We hope that expanding air connectivity, especially with markets that have strong running communities like Japan, will help maintain the international appeal of the race and affirm Da Nang as a sports-tourism friendly destination," a VnExpress Marathon representative shared.

This year's route passes many famous landmarks such as the Dragon Bridge, Thuan Phuoc Bridge, Han River, and Vo Nguyen Giap coastal road. The finish line for the 42 km distance has been moved to Bien Dong Park to expand the cheering area and enhance the runner experience.

The registration period for the event has ended. The organizers are finalizing logistics and preparing items to welcome the athletes.

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