Hue pedicab drivers get service training

Drivers of cyclo rickshaws (or pedicabs) in Hue have been trained in communication skills to improve satisfaction among passengers who use this means of transportation in the former imperial city.

A class in communication skills run by lecturers from the University of Hawaii, United States, and a local charity training centre was organised last Sunday to teach the art of gentle behaviour to the drivers, as well as how to provide fixed rates for their services.

A total of 350 drivers, at the end of the class, learnt how important their communication and behaviour are to the success of their services.

As Hue is a peaceful and green city, many tourists opt for a trip on the cycle rickshaw to tour the city and enjoy its natural beauty.

However, some passengers have reported that they were being treated rudely and overcharged for their trips.

Tan Son Nhat airport welcomes over 9 million visitors

HCM City’s Tan Son Nhat international airport has flown more than 83,150 flights and welcomed an estimated 9.14 million passengers since it enter operations in 1999.

These figures were announced at a ceremony on December 30 markingits15th anniversary and, in which, the airline was awarded the State President’s Labour Order – second class.

Over the past 15 years, the airport has successfully provided services for the national flag carrier, Vietnam Airlines, which has enjoyed stable growth.

In 1999, Vietnam Airlines operated 19,800 flights at Tan Son Nhat airport, handling 1.8 million passengers. In 2013, the flights increased to 63,150, with a level of on-time-performance (OTP) reaching 91.3%.

Tan Son Nhat airport also worked closely with relevant agencies to strictly enforce immigration policies.

According to Skytrax Airline Rating 2013, Tan Son Nhat airport’s services were rated above the three-star level.

Crowds flock to ancient Hue imperial city

The golden tourism week with big discounts to attract tourists to the ancient imperial city of Hue , the central province of Thua Thien-Hue , which closed on December 30, is a big success, according to the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre.

During the week, the site welcomed nearly 30,000 tourists, including 21,300 foreigners.

The week brought in revenue of VND2.2 billion, bringing the total revenue from entrance tickets to VND126.2 billion, a year-on-year increase of 20.6 percent.

Over 2 million tourists come to Hue each year, raking in more than VND100 billion (US$4.7 million) for the local tourism sector. The complex of royal palaces and tombs was recognised by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage in 1993.

Earlier, the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre and the Thua Thien-Hue provincial Tourism and Hotel Associations held a meeting on December 29 to exchange views on how to uphold the values of relics in the imperial city to attract tourists.

According to Doctor Phan Thanh Hai, Director of the centre, the agency offered such services as souvenir shops, tram cars, horse carriages, art performances in Dai Noi (the citadel’s inner city), and Minh Mang, Tu Duc and Khai Dinh mausoleums between 2003-2013, bringing in revenue of VND61.5 billion which was used for preservation work.

Participants warned against the commercialisation of the relic, and stressed that beside State investment, other sectors should be encourage to get involved in providing good services for visitors.

Individuals and organisations involving in the tourism sector promised to cooperate with the province in preserving the relics.

The centre fulfilled its target of receiving 2 million visitors to the city on December 24.