The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism is calling for everyone to join hands to improve the city’s tourism environment, following a drive launched Sunday.

>> An audio version of the story is available here

Nearly 500 people, including travel agents, officials of the municipal regulatory agencies, hospitality and travel students, and local residents attended the drive launch ceremony and were committed to striving to reach the mutual goal of building up a safe and clean image for the city’s tourist industry.

The drive encourages every city dweller to become “a friendly tour guide for tourists” and to take action to create a “green, clean, beautiful, safe, friendly and hospitable” environment for visitors.

“Our city will [thus] become better and more beautiful in the eyes of tourists,” Van Thi Bach Tuyet, director of the tourism department, said at the ceremony.

The drive will leave a deeper impression on visitors after their trips and make the city more attractive, which will thus “increase the number of new visitors, lengthen their stay, and encourage them to make more return visits,” Tuyet said.

Volunteers are seen holding banners that encourage people to join the drive. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Pham Thanh Chuong, a local resident, said after the ceremony he will continue encouraging other people in his neighborhood to keep the environment clean and safe for tourists.

“I will try to intervene whenever I see a case of rip-off or robbery targeted at tourists to help build up a safer and more beautiful tourism environment,” he said.

“I will also tell relatives and friends to join hands to turn District 1 into a safe and attractive destination for visitors.”

After the ceremony, attendees went on to collect trash on several streets in District 1 and deliver leaflets urging residents in areas where foreign tourists visit most frequently such as Pham Ngu Lao Street, Ben Thanh Market and Tan Dinh Market to join the drive.

Volunteers collect trash in District 1 after the drive launch ceremony. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!