Given its great convenience and usefulness, the installation of surveillance cameras in over 30-seater tourist coaches operating in Da Nang has received high praise from the general public, especially active support from local transport providers, amid the growing number of unlicensed tour guides.

The installation of surveillance cameras in tourist coaches helps to ensure the safety of passengers, and their belongings

The installation of the devices started in August on a voluntary basis, aiming at ensuring security and the effective State management of passengers, drivers, assistant drivers and tour guides, as well as in enhancing the quality of services, and building brand names for local transport service providers.

According to transport service providers that operate the CCTV-installed vehicles, such cameras give a clear picture of professionalism or lack thereof displayed by drivers and their assistants.

These devices also add security to passengers’ belongings as camera footage can be used to investigate any loss, if needed.

Mr Nguyen Huynh Cuong, the Director of the city-based Cuong Huynh General Trading and Services Co Ltd, highlighted the significance of surveillance cameras in enabling transport businesses to effectively monitor the operation of their service vehicles.

In addition, the municipal authorities also find it easier to identify whether or not there are unlicensed tour guides working illegally.

In reality, many Vietnamese tour guides disregard their own contracts and deliberately let foreign guides lead tours instead. It is illegal for foreign tour guides to work in Viet Nam.

The installation of such devices, hereby, helps to deter tourists from behaving badly, as well as avoid the spread of distorted information about the truth of Da Nang’s history and its culture, and those of Viet Nam as a whole.

CCTV cameras help to detect any unlicensed tour guides who illegally lead tours in the city

The municipal government has to date granted tourism transportation licenses to over 2,225 vehicles. Out of the total 570 30-seater buses,100 have had surveillance cameras installed. 

Mr Cao Tri Dung, the Chairman of Da Nang Travel Association, underlined the importance of promoting the installation of these devices in the coming time.

In particular, it is necessary to issue specific regulations regarding the installation of such devices as soon as possible, especially the approval given to camera controllers to extract images and clips from cameras if necessary. Besides, concerned local agencies should conduct surprise inspections of the operation of CCTV-installed vehicles.

In fact, many travel agencies express worry about violating passengers’ privacy, and increasing their operation costs when such cameras are installed in their service vehicles.

Deputy Director of the municipal Tourism Department Nguyen Xuan Binh remarked that his agency would promote its publicity activities to raise public awareness about the benefits of installing these cameras.