With its friendly, enthusiastic, and welcoming service, the cyclo has become a signature product of the city's tourism, beloved by both domestic and international visitors, especially foreigners. There’s nothing quite like sitting in a tourist cyclo, enjoying the sights and exploring the city while listening to the drivers share stories about the land and its people.

The "cyclo ambassadors" contribute to bringing a fresh vibrancy to the city's tourism. Photo: KHANH HOA

The cultural essence of Da Nang tourism

Established in 2003, Da Nang Tourist Cyclo Team has become an intriguing form of tourism, adding a fresh vibrancy to the city's travel scene. With a courteous, civilized, and enthusiastic service style that avoids competition and aggressive marketing, the members of the Cyclo Team have long been affectionately referred to as "cyclo ambassadors".

At nearly 60 years old, Nguyen Quoc Thinh, the captain of Da Nang Tourist Cyclo Team, has been with the team since its inception. Before that, he made a living as a handyman, and in 1991, he found his calling in pedaling cyclo. In his memories, he recalls Da Nang in the 1990s, which had a Cyclo Cooperative with over 1,000 members. Back then, cyclo drivers were common laborers engaged in transporting goods and passengers. In 2003, alongside the city's development, Da Nang Tourist Cyclo Team was established with 83 members and has continued to operate ever since.

The old, rusty cyclo have been replaced by new ones, featuring a uniform design in terms of style, color, and size. Each cyclo has a stainless-steel frame, comfortable seating with cushions, and a red canopy, all meticulously maintained and kept clean. The members of Da Nang Tourist Cyclo Team meet health standards, are knowledgeable about traffic laws, possess foreign language skills, and have a good understanding of the city’s attractions.

Mr. Thinh shared that from being laborers struggling to make a living as cyclo drivers, the formation of the Tourist Cyclo Team has completely transformed the mindset of people like him. There is now a sense of pride as the profession has been elevated to a new, more dignified, professional, and modern status. Moreover, with their new uniforms, the once outdated cyclo profession has become revitalized, carving out a unique niche that aligns with the overall development trends of the city's tourism industry. “Every year, we participate in language training courses and workshops on cultural etiquette in customer service organized by the city’s Tourism Promotion Center. Many team members can communicate fluently in English, Korean, and Chinese. Typically, each driver handles several rides each day, and during holidays or weekends, that number can increase significantly.”

Mrs. Ly Van Nam, a tourist from Yunnan Province, China, expressed her delight in exploring Da Nang on the cyclo. It provided her with a leisurely moment to admire the beautiful, clean streets while listening to the cyclo driver share insights about the city’s landscapes. For Mr. Dinh Tan Cu, a visitor from Nha Trang, the cyclo has become a distinctive symbol of tourism in many provinces across the country.

Putting on a new look

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when the sound of the cyclo bells became intertwined with the lives of Da Nang's residents. This mode of transportation holds an important place in the daily life of the local people. From small errands like going to the market to significant life events such as engagement ceremonies and weddings, cyclo have always been present, contributing to the traditional culture. As life becomes increasingly bustling and developed, traveling by cyclo remains an attractive option for exploring the beauty of the city at a leisurely pace. While touring by cyclo, visitors can film, take photos, and fully immerse themselves in the vibrant life of Da Nang's residents. Traveling by cyclo is already an enjoyable experience, but meeting a good driver makes it even more fascinating. As you sit in these historically rich cyclo on the old streets, you can listen to the driver’s stories about the past of Da Nang, about the streets, and the house numbers that have become intertwined with the passage of time and cherished memories.

According to information from the city’s Tourism Promotion Center, with its friendly, enthusiastic, and welcoming criteria, Da Nang Tourist Cyclo has become a signature product of Da Nang tourism, loved by both domestic and international visitors, especially foreigners. Each journey typically lasts between 30 to 45 minutes or up to 60 minutes. In addition to providing transportation for tourists and facilitating various tourism events, cyclo have also become a popular choice for couples looking to organize their weddings (such as transporting the bride in a cyclo).

The cyclo has become a familiar image and an indispensable part of the memory for every resident of Da Nang, though it’s hard to say exactly when this happened. The sight of the "cyclo ambassadors" in their yellow uniforms lined up neatly to transport passengers stands out against the backdrop of the city. While it seemed that the "golden age" of cyclo had passed with the rapid development of society, this profession, when wearing a new coat, becomes more in line with the general development trend of the times.

Reporting by NHAN HOA ANH – Translating by HONG VAN