Hanoi wins visitor confidence

A Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism survey shows most visitors want to return to the Vietnamese capital, but they are not happy with its taxi drivers, or the city’s hotel and travel prices.

According to the department survey released last week, 81% of 1,420 of  interviewed tourists, who were staying in Hanoi, want to return to Vietnam’s capital in the future.

The survey also showed 93% of respondents thought Hanoi was worth visiting and gave the city positive reviews for its cultural values, historic sites and safety.

However, those interviewed said the city should develop a clean environment and hygiene, reduce traffic congestion and re-educate taxi drivers and shopkeepers to be more courteous.

“Educational programmes and stronger controls over taxi drivers and street vendors are needed,” the department reported.

There are also moves to tighten controls over local travel companies and hotels in response to tourists’ complaints about the quality of services and high prices.

The department indicated more entertainment and night life options were needed to help increase length of stay.

This year, Hanoi targets 2.25 million foreign tourists up from 2.1 million in 2012.

Sourced: ttrweekly