Vietnam's Central Coast is fast emerging as a long-stay alternative to Bali and Phuket. — VNS Photo

HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — Central Coast Vietnam (CCV) is making a push to re-establish a direct air link between Danang and Bangkok, a route that was cut off in 2009.

"The central coast has never been as accessible as it is right now," said Louk Lennaerts, chairman of Central Coast Vietnam (CCV), a destination marketing organisation comprised of the area's premier hotels, resorts and golf clubs. "But Danang's new airport has the capacity to handle more traffic, and we're working to open those runways."

Later this month, Central Coast Vietnam representatives and members of Vietnam's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will conduct a road show to Bangkok in hope of reopening a connection between Danang and Bangkok, which in May became the world's most popular tourist destination according to data compiled by MasterCard.

The Danang-Bangkok route was served by Thailand's PB Air from 2007 until 2009, when the carrier ceased operations.

Other airlines currently offering international service to Vietnam's third largest city include China Eastern Airlines (from Beijing), China Southern Airlines (from Shenzhen) and SilkAir (from Singapore), which in March introduced a sixth weekly flight.

Korean Air and Asiana Air also fly to Danang (from Seoul), which is fast emerging as a long-stay alternative to Bali and Phuket for its proximity to vast, white-sand beaches, three UNESCO World Heritage sites (Hoi An, Hue and My Son), three new golf courses designed by the game's biggest names (Nick Faldo, Greg Norman and Colin Montgomerie) and an increasing number of international five-star beach resorts.

Due to the overwhelming demand for tickets in April and May, Dragonair added a fourth flight to its weekly Hong Kong-Danang schedule in July. — VNS