The City Government of Danao is intensifying its efforts to build robust linkages with ASEAN neighbors following a comprehensive benchmarking mission in Vietnam. This initiative is focused on expanding cooperation across multiple sectors, including tourism, environmental protection, education, and trade, as part of a broader strategy to enhance international collaboration.
Delegation Visit to Lao Cai Province
From February 25 to March 3, 2026, a delegation from Danao City, led by Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III and Vice Mayor Ivy Durano, visited Lao Cai Province in northern Vietnam. The purpose of this visit was to explore potential partnerships that could support Danao's burgeoning ecotourism and adventure tourism sectors, leveraging global best practices for local development.
Key Meetings and Discussions
During the mission, the Danao delegation held meetings with officials from Lao Cai Province, including Vice Chairperson Nguyen Thanh Sinh, and local leaders in Sa Pa Ward. These discussions centered on exchanging best practices in sustainable tourism, environmental protection, and cultural preservation. Both sides expressed optimism about deepening knowledge exchange and fostering reciprocal visits to strengthen bilateral ties.
Potential Collaboration Areas
The meetings highlighted several areas for potential collaboration, such as joint tourism promotions, adventure tourism exchanges, and travel partnerships between the two regions. Vietnamese officials also proposed expanding cooperation in education, language training, and cultural exchanges to enhance people-to-people connections, building on the 50-year diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Vietnam.
Site Visits and Learning Opportunities
The delegation conducted site visits to key tourism infrastructure projects in Sa Pa, including the Fansipan mountain tourism complex and a high-altitude glass bridge attraction. These visits allowed Danao officials to study visitor management systems, safety standards, and environmental protection practices, which could inform adaptations for Danao's own mountain tourism destinations, such as Mt. Manghilao under the Green Green Program.
Mayor Durano's Insights
Mayor Durano emphasized that such exposures are crucial for learning global best practices that can be translated into concrete programs for environmental sustainability and tourism development in Danao. He noted that the city, with its five mountain peaks and growing adventure tourism activities, is also exploring green infrastructure projects like electric vehicle charging stations in northern Cebu as part of climate action initiatives.
Broader Strategic Context
This mission aligns with Danao's strategy to position itself as a gateway for investment and tourism in northern Cebu. Recent efforts include hosting an investment forum focused on economic recovery and digital transformation, as well as organizing an international ultra-trail running event to promote adventure tourism globally. The visit was facilitated with support from the Philippine Embassy in Vietnam, led by Ambassador Francisco Noel Fernandez III, which helped arrange engagements with Vietnamese officials.
Both sides are optimistic that this dialogue will lead to deeper cooperation, including potential formal partnerships aimed at strengthening tourism, protecting the environment, and expanding economic opportunities within the ASEAN region.
