Ambassadors of Hanoi’s tourism

Volunteers introducing the Temple of Literature to foreign tourists. (Photo: CPV)

The team of young volunteers supporting Thang Long - Hanoi tourism was recruited in June by Hanoi’s Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, the Department of Culture and Sports, and the Department of Tourism.

Nguyen Thu Thuy, a student majoring in tourist guidance at the Hanoi Open University, registered to join the team as soon as she heard about it.

She said in the four months she has been on the team, her greatest happiness has been seeing the happiness of foreign tourists who are visiting Hanoi for the first time. 

While introducing Hanoi’s tourist attractions to foreigners, Thuy has made friends with foreign youths and learned a little about their cultures.

“I have been assigned to guide foreign tourists at the Temple of Literature. Visitors want information about Hanoi’s tourist attractions, Vietnamese food, directions to the ways to certain places, and basic information about the Temple of Literature," Thuy said. 

"Joining this team is useful for me to improve my communications capacity and my English skills, become more confident, and apply what I have learned at school,” she added.

Since being established, the volunteers have actively helped to introduce the capital’s relics to foreign tourists, including the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, the Temple of Literature, the Ho Chi Minh Museum, Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, the Old Quarter, the night market, and Dong Xuan Market. 

Before becoming official team members, selected volunteers were trained in basic knowledge of the city’s cultural and historical values and basic tourism promotion skills.

Nguyen Thi Hanh, a student at the Hanoi University of Culture, said at first the team members were hesitant but now they feel more confident about working with the tourists.  

She said “My specialty is tourist guidance so it’s very useful for me to practice my future work, build up my confidence in communication, and strengthen my foreign language skills.”

On walking paths around Hoan Kiem Lake, the volunteer tourist guide team have been impressing residents and visitors with their activities to promote Hanoi’s culture and history.

Folk games like “o an quan” - literally "Mandarin's square capturing - jumping rope, and playing bamboo jacks are being taught by the volunteers to enthusiastic tourists.