The central city of Da Nang will continue using its existing logo as its official emblem and will not hold another logo design contest for now, Bao Van Hoa reported. The decision follows 3 rounds of a campaign, a contest and an extension that drew 1,456 entries from 727 individual designers and teams in Vietnam and abroad, none of which fully met the city's requirements.

The search for a new logo

KBVN+ summarises the process based on the city culture department's notice and thank-you letter:

  1. On the instructions of the city People's Committee, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism launched a call for logo designs.
  2. This was followed by a formal contest and then an extension, 3 rounds in all.
  3. The city received 1,456 entries from 727 designers and teams, held judging and consulted residents.
  4. No option fully met the requirements, and the city, with guidance from higher authorities, agreed not to continue the contest.
  5. The department notified agencies, communes, wards, the special zone and media outlets that the old logo stays, and sent thank-you letters to entrants.

The contest had aimed to find a distinctive logo rich in cultural identity that would express Da Nang's image and ambitions in a new period.

Rules for using the logo

Agencies and localities must use the logo consistently in activities, publications and communications. It must follow the official design and form, without being altered, edited, distorted or combined with elements that change its identity, and must suit the nature of each event, especially in external relations and city promotion. Units are asked to review how they use it. Media outlets are asked to inform officials, residents, businesses and tourists of the decision and to use the correct version.

Why it matters

For businesses, event organisers and media partners working with the city, the existing logo remains the only approved version and must be used unchanged. For designers, ending the contest after three rounds shows how hard it is to reach consensus on a city brand. The department said the ideas submitted still reflected entrants' commitment to Da Nang.

What comes next

The current logo remains the official emblem, and no new contest is planned for now. The department said it hopes entrants will continue to contribute to the city's other cultural, artistic and creative activities.