Da Nang applies SMILE criteria to be friendly to tourists

The SMILE criteria set aims to improve service quality, hone service skills, and contribute to affirming the image of Da Nang City as civilized, safe, friendly, and hospitable.

On August 21, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism (DOCST) of Da Nang City announced the application of the Da Nang SMILE cultural tourism criteria set to encourage civilized behavior for organizations and individuals operating in the field of tourist services.

The set of criteria guides two groups of subjects, one is agencies, organizations, and individuals at the destination and the other is tourists coming to Da Nang city.

Specifically, for the people, business community and civil servants, public employees, and workers of units operating in the tourism sector or related industries, they are encouraged to maintain and regularly practice cultural behavior, manners, and polite attitudes.

Da Nang City encourages tourism staff to increasingly improve service quality and hospitality. Photo: Nguyen Tu

Positive contributions that form habits in daily activities will contribute to building the image of a green, clean, beautiful, civilized, hospitable, safe and sustainably developing tourist city with its own identity.

For tourists, they are informed and guided about basic criteria of cultural behavior at the destination and recommended inappropriate behaviors such as: limiting plastic waste; not getting drunk and losing control; not bathing in prohibited areas or in bad weather; dressing politely in sacred places; respecting local culture...

Welcoming former Manchester United stars at Furama Resort Danang. Photo: Nguyen Tu

In which, 5 cultural criteria include:

Regarding traffic culture criteria: Instructing tourists on how to use rescue and escape equipment on vehicles; complying with traffic laws; helping traffic participants, especially the disabled, the elderly, children and women; giving priority to pedestrians and disabled people crossing the road...

Regarding behavioral culture criteria: Promote patriotism, good traditions of the nation, be aware of protecting national security and sovereignty; welcome guests with a friendly smile, often say "hello", "thank you", "sorry"; behave sincerely, properly, respect guests; do not solicit, cling, discriminate, do not raise your voice, argue with guests; enthusiastically help, guide and support guests; maintain order, do not have uncivilized behavior; queue when using services; do not litter, defecate indiscriminately; do not smoke in prohibited areas.

Regarding business culture criteria: Ensure full legal conditions; publicly list prices, policies and sell at the right price; compete fairly; provide honest advice and provide full range of products and services; build reputation and sustainable business brand; do not raise prices or pressure customers; encourage innovation and creativity in tourism products.

A training course to improve reception skills for tourists at Bac My An Tourist Area Joint Stock Company. Photo: Nguyen Tu

Regarding service culture criteria: Polite, appropriate, and distinctive attire; professional demeanor and style; open to feedback, promptly handle feedback; regularly improve professional expertise.

Regarding environmental protection culture criteria: Strictly implement environmental protection regulations at the destination; do not discharge waste indiscriminately; do not damage the landscape; use environmentally friendly resources; encourage sustainable tourism development; do not consume wild animals and plants.

The leader of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that the unit will coordinate with the Tourism Association and businesses to train and widely disseminate the set of criteria so that they can be widely disseminated and implemented, so that tourists can experience a new, attractive, friendly and ready-to-serve Da Nang.

Dai Doan Ket Newspaper

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/da-nang-ap-dung-bo-tieu-chi-smile-than-thien-voi-du-khach-2025082210191091.htm