The "fancy" cyclo team in Da Nang

(NLĐO) - Amidst the modern pace of city life, the leisurely rickshaws rolling along the streets of Da Nang still retain their unique charm.

More than just a means of transporting passengers, tourist cyclos here have become a "specialty" of the city, a place where neatness, civility, and a professional spirit of tourism converge.

Behind those slow, steady turns lies a well-organized team, rigorously trained, fluent in foreign languages, and practicing their profession with utmost self-respect.

From cargo rickshaws to tourist rickshaws

Mr. Tran Dinh Chot (68 years old), one of the members who has been involved since the beginning, recalls the time before 2003, when most of the team members still made a living by transporting goods on rickshaws. As they got older, carrying heavy loads was no longer suitable, while the demand for transporting goods gradually replaced smaller trucks, forcing many to find new ways to make a living.

Mr. Tran Dinh Chot (front row) drives a cyclo carrying tourists in the city center.

"In 2003, we applied to join the union and switched to the tourist cyclo model. At that time, it was called the Da Nang Tourist Cyclo Team," Mr. Chot recounted. Initially, the team had about 70 people, later adding more to reach the current 83 cyclos. The selection process also had clear criteria, requiring good health, because this type of service for tourism demands safety and endurance.

The early days were not easy at all. Tourism in Da Nang was quite sluggish back then, with few visitors, especially domestic tourists. "Back then, Vietnamese people found tourist cyclos very strange, so they were hesitant to ride them. Even though I had a cyclo, I kept it aside, not daring to use it. It took one or two years for customers to gradually get used to it," Mr. Chot recalled. During that time, many people still had to transport goods using old cyclos to earn a living.

The cyclo tour takes visitors to explore famous landmarks in Da Nang's city center.

It took 4-5 years for the number of tourists to stabilize, mainly international visitors. From then on, tourist cyclos gradually became a familiar part of city tours. According to Mr. Chót, from the very beginning, the entire fleet was directly managed by the Da Nang City Tourism Promotion Center. The 83 cyclos are divided into 7 groups, each with about 10-12 cyclos, each with a group leader.

Mr. Tran Dinh Nam takes tourists past the Rooster Church on Tran Phu Street.

"When there are group bookings or contracts, the center directs them to the team leader, who then assigns them to the group leader in a rotating manner, ensuring fairness for everyone. When there are no contracts, each person invites guests independently, but they must still adhere to the general regulations," Mr. Chót explained.

This organizational structure helps the cyclo drivers operate in an orderly manner, avoiding competition and aggressive soliciting of customers.

Learn a foreign language, maintain high standards of service.

One of the most highly regarded aspects of the Da Nang Tourist Cyclo Team is their professionalism. Members are not only trained in traffic laws and service skills but also participate in language training courses such as English and Korean.

"We're not fluent speakers, mostly just broken English, using common phrases to introduce destinations like the Chicken Church, Dragon Bridge, Cham Museum… If customers ask too many detailed questions, we use our phones to translate," Mr. Chot said with a gentle smile. A cyclo tour usually lasts about 30 minutes, with a listed price of 120,000 VND per cyclo per person. If the service is good and the customer is satisfied, there might be extra tips, but we absolutely do not try to haggle or overcharge.

A team of cyclo drivers carrying passengers on Bach Dang Street.

Mr. Tran Dinh Nam (69 years old), a veteran in the profession, shared the special circumstances that led him to the cyclo. Having worked on the railway and then as a cyclo driver, he once transported an Italian customer for 10 days. "He was kind and gave me $250 to buy my own vehicle. Thanks to that, I've had my own cyclo since 1995," Mr. Nam recounted.

Despite having previously worked as a motorbike taxi driver and security guard, he eventually returned to cyclo-rickshaws. "Even at 69, I can still carry passengers weighing 140kg normally. Cycling on the road is good for my health, and it's fun to meet and chat with friends," Mr. Nam said.

Preserving the image of city tourism.

Working in tourism means that every action contributes to the city's image. This is something the cyclo drivers are very aware of. "This profession has very strict regulations; you must behave in a cultured and polite manner, not overcharge, and not tarnish the image of Da Nang tourism. Anyone who violates these rules will have their license revoked and their operation suspended immediately," Mr. Chot emphasized.

The cyclo rickshaw team is considered a unique form of tourism in Da Nang.

For many members, cyclo-rickshaws are not just a means of livelihood but also a place where people connect. "The greatest joy is meeting friends every day on the road; if there are customers, it's great, if not, we can sit and chat. When customers see that the rickshaw is clean and we provide good service, they come back to find us; that's what friendship is all about," Mr. Chot shared.

Amidst the bustling streets, the wheels of cyclo rickshaws silently turn, carrying not only tourists but also the story of a workforce with a strong sense of professional integrity. Da Nang's "premium" cyclo rickshaw team, therefore, is not only "premium" in appearance but also in its civilized, professional, and deeply humane approach to tourism.

According to the Tourism Promotion Center – Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Da Nang City, the Tourist Cyclo Team is considered a unique form of tourism, contributing to enriching the experience for visitors. All 83 cyclos are uniformly designed, with stainless steel frames, cushioned seats, and red canopies, and are always kept clean. All members meet health standards, understand traffic laws, have knowledge of the destination, and regularly receive training in foreign languages, communication skills, and cultural etiquette.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/doi-xich-lo-xin-so-o-da-nang-196260211152340639.htm