Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 17:54 GMT+7

AI cameras to monitor tourist density on Da Nang’s plastic-free islands

Da Nang City, central Vietnam, will install 15 AI-powered camera systems to monitor, analyze and alert authorities to tourist density at key areas on the Cham Islands, aiming to better manage visitor flows at the tourist boat terminal and on the islands.

According to the Da Nang People's Committee, the city will invest more than VND7.7 billion (US$296,000) from the municipal budget to develop a digital tourism model on the Cham Islands, using technologies including AI cameras, e-tickets, digital maps and VR360 virtual tours from this year through 2027.

The project aims to build a data-driven ecosystem for managing, operating and developing tourism to serve government agencies, businesses, local communities and tourists.

The project will develop digital tourism management software with functions for managing tourists and entrance tickets, controlling visitor numbers, managing destinations, and monitoring and issuing alerts.

Notably, the project will install 15 AI-powered camera systems to monitor, analyze and alert authorities to tourist density at key areas.

It will also digitize 19 prominent sites using VR360 technology, creating virtual tours as well as an aerial panoramic view of the Cham Islands.

The system will be connected to and share data with databases on biodiversity, natural resources and the environment at the Cham Islands Marine Protected Area, as well as a digital heritage and relics system, a digital tourism map and other shared municipal systems.

The city plans to gradually develop the Cham Islands into a model of “smart ecotourism, smart governance and smart conservation.”

The Cham Islands, a group of eight small islands, lie 20km off Cua Dai beach in Da Nang's Hoi An.

The islands are a popular tourist destination known for their relatively pristine environment and a local community that has retained a simple, traditional way of life.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cham Islands welcomed 3,000-5,000 visitors a day, prompting local administration to consider measures to ease the pressure from large visitor numbers.

The islands are currently home to around 2,500 residents, organized as Tan Hiep Island Commune.

Over the past decade, the Cham Islands have also been known for its effort of eliminating the use of plastic bags and most single-use plastic.