Da Nang sets up rapid response team to deal with uncivilized tourists

Da Nang will establish a rapid response force with about 20 members to promptly handle groups and individuals causing disturbances in the tourism sector.

On the morning of July 8, the leader of the Department of Tourism said that the unit is preparing a report on the establishment of a Rapid Response Team to send to the Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee for consideration and decision. The Team is expected to be established in the next 2 weeks.

Dealing with uncivilized tourists

Mr. Ngo Quang Vinh - Director of Da Nang Tourism Department, said that in the first 6 months of 2016, the locality welcomed more than 1.2 million Chinese visitors, but the Department only had 3 people working in the inspection field. "With such a large number of visitors, only 3 inspectors cannot handle all of them. Therefore, Da Nang's establishment of a Rapid Response Team is very necessary," Mr. Vinh said.

A foreign tour guide was discovered and fined by authorities. Photo: Nguyen Vu.

Mr. Tran Chi Cuong - Deputy Director of this Department, added that every year Da Nang welcomes 5 - 6 million tourists, 5 times more than the local population. When the number of tourists increases, many problems occur. Tourism is a comprehensive economic sector, however, when detecting wrongdoings by groups or individuals, the Director and Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism do not have the authority to handle them.

"This force will be led by the Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism. When detecting groups or individuals who violate the law or have disruptive or uncivilized behavior, the force will promptly appear and handle the matter immediately. For issues beyond the authority, the Rapid Response Team must submit them to the Chairman of the City People's Committee for consideration and decision," said Mr. Vinh.

According to Mr. Vinh, the Rapid Response Team is expected to have about 20 members, including staff from the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, officials from the People's Committees of districts, the Immigration Department of Da Nang Police, Customs forces, Airport Security...

Vietnamese people protect Chinese tourists

At a meeting with leaders of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism yesterday, representatives of tourism leaders of Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam and Da Nang said that recently, the number of international tourists, especially from China and South Korea, has been very high, leading to overload. For example, in Da Nang, in the first 6 months of 2016, the locality welcomed 1.2 million Chinese tourists for sightseeing and vacation.

"The overheated development has resulted in the tourism industry not being able to keep up," said Mr. Vinh. He reiterated that in Da Nang, there have been a number of unfortunate incidents that have caused a stir in public opinion and affected the image of local tourism. The first incident was a group of Chinese tourists who went to a bar to drink and then caused trouble. Afterwards, one of the group took out a 200,000 VND bill and burned it, causing outrage among the people.

Last week, on Phan Chau Trinh Street (Hai Chau District), a group of Chinese people came to buy bananas and then rudely insulted the street vendors.

A Chinese tourist was said to have behaved in an uncivilized manner towards a street vendor on Phan Chau Trinh Street (Da Nang) 3 days ago.

"This case is just an isolated incident but it affects tourism in Da Nang," said Mr. Vinh, adding that through inspection, authorities also discovered that some Vietnamese individuals and travel agencies have assisted and protected Chinese tourists in running rampant in Da Nang.

"I confirm that there is protection. They sign contracts with foreign partners to bring tourists into Vietnam through different routes. They use Chinese people to guide, pick up and drop off tourists and stay in hotels owned by Chinese people. These businesses only hire a few Vietnamese tour guides to deal with the authorities if they encounter them," said Mr. Vinh.

He cited that in Da Nang, there are some stores that cleverly refuse to sell to Vietnamese people and only sell products to Korean and Chinese customers. "Tour guides often bring customers here. A kilo of coffee costs only a few hundred thousand, but they sell it to customers for up to a million dong. The store shares this money with the tour guides, while tourists have to buy very expensive products," said Mr. Vinh.

According to Zing.vn