Tourism law to protect foreign travellers

According to Huỳnh Tấn Vinh, Chairman of the Đà Nẵng Tourism Association, the protection of tourists should become part of tourism policy.

It is necessary to set up tourism police to protect travelers’ rights, especially as foreign tourists have recently reported many scams and rips-offs, which may damage the image of Vietnamese tourism, said Mr. Vinh.

The law also needs to employ a single-price policy for famous attractions so that foreigners pay the same as locals, he added.

Vinh also appealed for more government attention to tourism as it is one of the main industries in Việt Nam.
“The government needs to support tourism businesses, because the amount of money hotels have to spend on electricity, water and taxes is the highest in the service industry,” said Mr. Vinh.

Ms. Nguyễn Phương Mai from the Thừa Thiên-Huế Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism described the management of tour guides as very loose, citing the fact that even the department does not keep track of the guides to whom they issue working licenses.

She also proposed adding the management of overnight boats and ships following several boat sinking cases over the years.