Da Nang is now focusing on developing new and unique souvenirs and tourism gifts which are considered one of the key factors contributing to enhancing its attractiveness, encouraging tourists to raise their spending during their stay periods in the city, as well as promoting effective tourism images, thereby increasing tourism revenue.

Developing souvenir items contributes to increase revenue for Da Nang's service and tourism industry. IN PHOTO: Customers attending a conferencethe organised by the municipal Department of Industry and Trade to connect the Da Nang -made products to distributors in the city on June 17. Photo: QUYNH TRANG

Da Nang tourism is on track for a surprisingly strong rebound after a two-year hiatus triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result, many tourism souvenir and gift manufacturers citywide have resumed operations.

The Hai Chau District-based Conomi facility specialising in selling souvenirs in wholesale quantities is a typical example.

Conomi's main products which attract much attention from a large number of domestic and foreign tourists are models of Da Nang's bridges delicately carved on wooden surfaces or miniature replicas of its iconic spots such as 'Carp Turns into a Dragon' statue and Sun Wheel.

The owner of Conomi, Mr. Nguyen Van Binh, said that during the 2 years of tourism stagnation caused by COVID-19, he and his associates were active in purchasing new machines, conducting tourism market research, and creating new tourism products in preparation for further tourism recovery.

He added that his company’s existing tourism products are still mainly made of wood but are painted and printed to make them more eye-catching.

Currently, 12 employees of the facility are working day and night to keep up with orders for partners.

“Since early June, we have received orders continuously. Currently, our products are now available at passenger terminals of Da Nang International Airport, the Son Tra Night Market, supermarkets, and specialty stores. We always receive good feedback from visitors. We hope that our products will contribute to diversifying and enriching the city’s souvenir gift market" said Mr. Binh.

In a similar vein, many facilities have been focusing on developing tourism gifts and souvenirs with the aim of increasing tourist spending and extending their stay periods in the city.

Mr. Ho Nguyen Truong, Director of the Inteltech Applications and Technology Solution Co., Ltd. based in Hoa An Ward, Cam Le District, has boldly designed and manufactured souvenirs from many kinds of materials like stone, glass and wood. The unit has also conducted research on sets of unique wooden souvenirs (also engraved on high technology) to serve visitors.

“With the machine's technology, the company can engrave 2D and 3D images under the surface of crystal and glass to create unique souvenirs bearing the typical images of Da Nang such as Dragon Bridge, Han River Bridge, Museum of Cham Sculpture, and Marble Mountains, or even engrave the images of tourists. It takes less than 10 minutes to create finished products” added Mr. Truong.

A staff of the Co.opmart Son Tra supermarket and some products of the Conomi souvenir shop. Photo: QUYNH TRANG

For a long time, fragrant incense sticks have become one of the indispensable and spiritual values ​​in Vietnamese beliefs. Many Vietnamese people often offer incense to ancestors’ altars on public holidays, Tet Festivals and death anniversaries, but even when preparing to go far away to pray for good luck and peace.

Therefore, the Dana Elite Trading & Service Co., Ltd headquartered in Thanh Khe District has promoted the development of products made from agarwood such as agarwood incense buds, agarwood incense, agarwood powder and agarwood accessories.

Director of the company Trinh Thi Kim Tuyen said that the unit's agarwood products are now available at 80 agents across the city, especially in most of the specialty stores in Da Nang.

“The company plans to create compact, meaningful and convenient souvenirs made from agarwood for tourists. In addition, we also target people returning back to their hometowns because they are in need of buying traditional products associated with the images of their homelands” noted Ms. Tuyen.

Souvenirs help preserve unforgettable moments in a tourist destination. According to Mr. Binh, souvenirs not only create job opportunities and increase income for locals but also promote the local culture and tourism.

“Next time, I plan to open a facility to produce and sell souvenirs for visitors. The model will provide the opportunity for visitors to experience how to make handmade products" said Mr. Binh.

According to the Da Nang Tourism Promotion Centre under the Department of Tourism, 2D and 3D laser machine-engraved wooden models featuring meticulously-crafted images of Da Nang have become eye-catching souvenirs and unique exhibits for ornamental display, thus contributing to promoting the city’s tourism to visitors from near and far. Additionally, the model material is quite light, easy to transport, affordable for tourists, suitable for souvenirs and display as a travel product anywhere.

Reporting by QUYNH TRANG - Translating by M.DUNG