Son Tra District has posted the fastest growth in hospitality services in Da Nang over recent years, thereby helping to boost the district’s socio-economic progress and bring an outstanding change to its whole urban face.

Son Tra District has seen the rapid socio-economic progress and the outstanding change to its urban face (Photo: DNO/ Hoang Hiep)

In an attempt to promote its image, this district has taken the initiative to develop practical plans to ensure a very safe, friendly and civilised tourism environment for domestic and foreign visitors.

It is common to see that each of the district’s inhabitants is considered to be an enthusiastic and friendly tourism ambassador in a bid to advertise this location’s beautiful image to domestic and international friends.

Ms Ha Ngoc Van, a fashion trader in the busy Ha Than Market located in An Hai Tay Ward, said she now feels more self-confident in communicating with foreign shoppers in both English and Chinese.

In particular, Ms Van has left a good impression on her customers about the image of friendly and hospitable residents as she is always willing to introduce them to local attractions and specialities.

Thanks to her polite and friendly attitude and behaviour towards her customers, Ms Van’s stand has seen a growing number of foreign shoppers.

Ms Van was one of the local traders voluntarily participating in English and Chinese courses offered last year by the Son Tra District Markets’ Management Board.

At these courses, the trainees learned about how to communicate with foreign clients in simplest but most incredibly effective way.

Encouragingly, Ms Phan Ngoc Lan, the owner of a store selling miscellaneous goods in An Hai Tay Ward, voluntarily spent her own money providing visitors with useful leaflets about local popular attractions, the best foods and shopping areas in Son Tra District.

Apart from its strategies for boosting tourism growth, the district has also gained positive results from its social welfare, poverty reduction and security programmes. 

Ceaseless efforts are being made to stop the harassment of tourists, to deal with illegal street vendors who insist on begging passers-by to buy their goods, and to handle the illegal encroachment of trading activities onto the local streets’ pavements.

Currently, the district is also striving to effectively fulfill this year’s key tasks assigned by the city government.

Accordingly, an emphasis is being placed on ensuring the security of the upcoming Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) 2018 which will take place in the city from 30 April to 30 June, surpassing this year’s tax collection target, and handling unlicensed construction projects.

Publicity activities will be held in a bid to appeal for even more local inhabitants to become actively involved in implementing the ongoing landmark ‘City of 4 Safe Programmes’ campaign, and to show their smiley faces, and their friendly and hospitable attitude and behaviour, towards visitors.