Central Vietnam’s Hoiana Plans $1B Resort Expansion with MICE Facilities

Hoiana Resort & Golf has unveiled plans for a major second-phase development in central Vietnam to enhance hospitality, retail, and entertainment infrastructure. The blueprint follows recent consultations between resort executives and Da Nang officials, signaling growth after the completion of Phase I.

Launched in 2020, Phase 1 established the resort as a regional hub with 1,200+ hotel rooms, an 18-hole championship golf course, and Vietnam’s largest foreigner-exclusive casino (140 tables and 270+ machines). Phase I investment reached US$1.4 billion. The complex currently employs 2,700 staff, with average monthly wages of VND15 million (US$570). Management expects substantial workforce expansion as development advances.

US$1B Phase II Plan

Hoiana’s Phase II blueprint allocates US$1 billion to add over 1,000 luxury hotel rooms, 198 oceanfront villas, and a family-friendly retail and entertainment complex.

A second golf course paired with a training academy issuing certifications and a 2,500-seat convention center will boost its MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) capacity.

The project aims to generate 2,000+ jobs and over VND2 trillion (US$76.15 million) in yearly tax contributions. Intended as a retail innovation, it is planned to redefine domestic shopping experiences.

Nguyen Vinh Tran, CEO of Hoi An South Development, stated the expansion aligns with Da Nang’s strategy to become a “center for events, sports, shopping, and luxury travel,” enhancing regional competitiveness.

Expansion Timeline

Hoiana’s US$4 billion master plan spans 985 hectares across seven phases, targeting full completion by 2029. Phase II, covering 209 hectares, marks the next step in the phased rollout.

New CEO Ala Teo, a veteran of Resorts World Sentosa and NUSTAR, is steering the expansion. “When Hoiana first opened during COVID times, the focus was casino first, then the destination,” Teo stated at an industry summit. “We have changed our focus to market the destination first, then the casino for foreigners.”

Teo outlined travel purpose creation, logistical ease, and safety as the propelling pillars for the foreigner-only casino. He highlighted Vietnam’s secure reputation, proximity to airports, and Hoiana’s golf facilities as main attractions. “How easy is it for someone to book a flight and travel from the airport to their destination?” he emphasized.

Tourism Growth

Da Nang attracted 17 million visitors in 2025 as green, sports, and MICE tourism gained traction. International travelers accounted for 7.6 million, marking a 25% year-on-year increase. Domestic investment surged to VND215.2 trillion (US$8.19 billion), while foreign capital totaled $520 million. Hoiana, now administratively part of Da Nang following Quang Nam’s merger, aims to boost the city’s tourism diversification, targeting business and sports travel.