Rickshaw messenger

More than just a means of sightseeing, cyclo rickshaws have become a unique feature of Da Nang. Behind each slow, leisurely turn on the bustling streets are friendly, enthusiastic cyclo drivers, contributing to the creation of this distinctive product and spreading the image of a civilized and hospitable tourist city.

Rickshaws carrying international tourists leisurely stroll through the bustling streets of Bach Dang Street (Hai Chau Ward). Photo: THU HA.

Street storytellers

In their 60s and 70s, besides transporting passengers, members of the Da Nang Tourist Cyclo Team diligently attend foreign language classes organized by the Da Nang Tourism Promotion Center.

Starting with simple greetings and introductions to destinations, to basic communication skills with international tourists… Each training session not only helps them become more confident in their work, but also demonstrates a proactive spirit and a commitment to improving service quality, contributing to building a professional, friendly, and civilized image of Da Nang tourism.

Having been involved in the job for over 20 years, interacting with tourists from many different countries, for Mr. Nguyen Van Ban (65 years old), Team Leader of Team 1, Tourist Cyclo Team, the language barrier used to be a major obstacle.

Therefore, Mr. Ban and the other team members proactively learned foreign languages. Through English and Korean language training courses organized annually by the City Tourism Promotion Center, the members learned and practiced simultaneously, gradually accumulating enough knowledge to converse with and introduce delicious restaurants or the unique features of tourist attractions to visitors.

Mr. Tran Dinh Nam (69 years old), a member of the Tourist Cyclo Team, vividly remembers a time he carried an Australian tourist. Seeing his small stature beside the cyclo, the passenger hesitantly asked, "Are you sure you can carry me?" Only after hearing Mr. Nam's firm reply, "Yes, I can," did the passenger feel reassured and get on the cyclo.

It is the dedication and love for their profession shown by people like Mr. Ban and Mr. Nam that has left a positive impression on international tourists experiencing cyclo rides in Da Nang. Sarah Miller, an American tourist, was quite surprised to see that the elderly drivers could still communicate in English and had a good understanding of the destinations.

"The experience of leisurely riding in a cyclo, admiring the bustling city and the tranquil Han River, while listening to the driver introduce the history and culture of places like Han Market, the Han River Swing Bridge, and the Dragon Bridge… made the trip very enjoyable," shared Sarah Miller.

Enhancing the cyclo tour experience.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Tham, Director of the City's Tourism Promotion Center, the Da Nang Tourist Cyclo Team currently has 83 members, divided into groups, operating on a rotating basis to welcome tourists.

The friendly and welcoming attitude of the drivers contributes to a positive travel experience for tourists. Photo: THU HA

To improve quality and enhance the visitor experience, from September 2025, the city's tourism industry will launch an Auto Guide service (an AI-integrated automated commentary system) on cyclo tours around the city.

However, according to Ms. Tham, technology only plays a supporting role; the core element of the tourist cyclo service still lies in the people. The cyclo drivers, with their friendly and sincere demeanor, are the most vivid "storytellers," helping tourists better feel the soul and charm of the coastal city.

From polite service and a welcoming attitude to simple, friendly greetings, each cyclo ride contributes to spreading the image of a peaceful and hospitable Da Nang.

For domestic tourists, cyclo rides evoke traditional culture in a modern urban setting, creating a feeling that is both familiar and novel. For international tourists, it's a distinctly Vietnamese tourism product, different from other popular forms of sightseeing, enriching the experience and leaving unforgettable impressions. It allows visitors to feel the city's pace of life at a slower, more intimate level, closer to the lives of the local people.

In the future, the center will continue to orient the development of the Tourist Cyclo Team towards professionalism, linked to the role of "accompanying and telling stories of Da Nang".

Language training courses, communication skills training, and traffic safety training will be maintained, alongside connecting cyclo tours that offer experiences of local culture, history, cuisine , and daily life. This will contribute to diversifying tourism products and building Da Nang's image as a friendly, civilized destination rich in cultural values.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/su-gia-xich-lo-3322513.html