Da Nang Today’s English Editor, Ian Lister, is a map man!  With his background in travel and tourism, an eye for detail, and a passion for reading news, he has always been fascinated by maps of any description. 

Since coming from England to live in Da Nang more than 6 years ago he has continued to read his home town’s daily newspaper online and keeps up-to-date with news from around the world.  He also reads the English online publication of Tuoi Tre newspaper, and the Viet Nam News. 

Most days he checks the weather in England, and in Da Nang, using one of his favourite websites, www.bbc.co.uk.  He was continually frustrated when he looked at the weather map and saw the mis-naming of Da Nang, which appeared as ‘Turan’.  Not only was this name old and out-of-date, but it was also mis-spelled.  The former name of Da Nang during the French colonial period was ‘Tourane’. 

The old weather map …

Ian repeatedly posted comments on the BBC website to no avail, and finally contacted the BBC directly.  After much correspondence he was informed that the weather data comes from the United Kingdom’s National Weather Forecasting Service (the Met Office) … and more emails began!  He was eventually told by the Met Office that although they provide the data for the BBC weather, the maps themselves are created by the BBC.  They agreed to forward his comments and frustrations to someone who would be able to take action.

Recently, he received an email from the Assistant Producer of the Data and Graphics Department of BBC weather and was delighted to read “I have asked our web team to change the name from Turan to Da Nang.”  Over the Christmas period it was changed.  Success!  Well done Ian!    

… and the new one!

Written by Carole Kendal