City of Welcome

The welcoming atmosphere of a tourist city comes not only from its beautiful scenery but also from small details such as clear signage, complete public amenities, and exemplary behavior.

The bilingual Vietnamese-English stone plaque, featuring a QR code introducing Han Market, has made a strong impression on tourists due to its aesthetic appeal and practicality. Photo: HS

Building upon these foundations, Da Nang is developing an image of a friendly and worthwhile city to visit in the eyes of tourists.

Impressions of the service

Not long ago, on an online forum, I read a post from a tourist from Hanoi after experiencing driving on the central roads of Da Nang. What impressed this person was the clear, easy-to-understand, and transparent traffic sign system, to the point that "if there was a mistake, it was due to the driver's lack of concentration."

From lane markings and signs indicating straight ahead, left turn, and right turn, to warning signs placed at a distance, everything is logically arranged and not confusing. In particular, according to this tourist, driving at night in Da Nang for the first time was comfortable because many signs are illuminated, making them easy to see.

Many believe that it is these small details that leave a lasting impression on travelers . In modern tourism, the visitor experience comes not only from the people but also from how the city operates and "communicates" with them. From signage, public restrooms, parking lots, tourist information centers, to traffic organization, public spaces, and urban order, everything contributes to answering the question: Is this city friendly?

Over the years, the city has invested in a comprehensive system of traffic and tourist signage, prioritizing main roads, coastal areas, the airport, train stations, administrative centers, and popular tourist attractions. Da Nang has also proactively implemented a smart tourism city model, integrating physical infrastructure with digital maps, tourism applications, QR codes, etc., at destinations to provide multilingual information for tourists.

“These seemingly small things give me a sense of security when I leave the hotel, confidence when renting a motorbike to ride along the beach, or being able to get to my desired destination without having to ask for directions. What particularly impressed me was how Da Nang serves tourists through the ‘Comfort as home’ model,” shared Mr. Nguyen Phuong Nam (a tourist from Hanoi).

Service culture and public service ethics

From an urban management perspective, seemingly minor details in the daily lives of tourists are directly linked to a larger story about service culture and public ethics. When service culture is prioritized, management ideas naturally focus on the people and tourists. This forms the foundation for every official, every citizen, and every public space to become an "ambassador" of the city.

Clear and specific road signs are a plus in the eyes of tourists visiting Da Nang. Photo: HS

According to Ms. Tang Hoang Hon Tham, Deputy Head of the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the Da Nang City Party Committee, in the strategic orientation for the development of culture and people in Da Nang in the new era, the city clearly defines the requirement to build culture within politics, taking morality as the foundation.

"A culture of service is essential for fulfilling the city's political tasks, building standards of public service culture and ethics among officials and civil servants from the city level to the grassroots," Ms. Tham emphasized.

This spirit extends beyond the administrative apparatus to the economic sector, tourism, and urban life. Building a corporate culture, an entrepreneurial culture, a commercial culture, along with a strong respect for the rule of law and civilized behavior, is considered essential for Da Nang to promote its image as a friendly and trustworthy city in the eyes of both residents and tourists.

A representative from the Son Tra Ward People's Committee stated that identity and people are strategic resources for sustainable development. From maritime culture and urban culture to integrated culture, the locality has determined that building a civilized urban lifestyle is not only to improve the quality of life for residents but also to create a sense of safety and friendliness for strangers when they arrive.

The proposed solutions are very specific, such as: improving infrastructure and public amenities; digitizing information, maps, and destinations; and strengthening education on urban etiquette for residents, workers, and those involved in tourism. Every act of proper conduct, every orderly space, and every clear sign contributes to creating a positive experience for tourists.

Researcher Bui Van Tieng, Chairman of the City's Historical Science Association, once stated that the "livable city" brand is first and foremost an aspiration. To make that aspiration a reality, it requires a convergence of leadership vision, the public service ethics of officials, the business culture of enterprises, and the sense of responsibility of each citizen.

For first-time visitors to the city, the feeling of a "livable city" probably begins simply with easy-to-understand signposts, clear information, and the kind and humane way people treat each other. When the city opens its heart like this, every citizen, every official, every street corner, and even every tourist can become an "ambassador," telling beautiful stories about Da Nang through their own real-life experiences.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/thanh-pho-cua-su-chao-don-3322511.html