Kindness leaves lasting mark on Da Nang visitors
DNO - From ride-hailing drivers to market vendors and local residents, small acts of kindness are quietly shaping visitors’ experiences and becoming an important part of Da Nang’s appeal as a destination.
Lasting impressions in everyday gestures
With only a few minutes left before the (Rong) Dragon Bridge was due to breathe fire, Huynh Le Quoc Khanh, 32, a ride-hailing driver in Da Nang received a booking from a foreign family heading to their hotel near the beach.
During their conversation, Khanh learned that it was the family’s first visit to Da Nang and that they had never seen the city’s famous Dragon Bridge fire and water show.
After checking the schedule, he suggested that they cancel the ride and stay to watch the spectacle. The cancellation did not incur any additional cost for the passengers.
“The ride was not worth much. I thought the visitors’ experience was more important, especially since it was their first time in Da Nang and they wanted to see something that represents the city,” Khanh said.
His gesture was later shared on social media and received positive responses. It was not an isolated case.
Da Nang has also seen ride-hailing drivers go out of their way to return belongings left behind by passengers.
Huynh Ngoc Quy, a ride-hailing driver in Da Nang once found a wallet on the back seat after dropping off a passenger at Terminal 1 of the Da Nang International Airport.
It contained personal documents and more than VND30 million in cash. He reported the matter to the police and worked with authorities to identify and return the property to its owner.
In 2026, Da Nang aims to welcome 19.1 million overnight visitors, up 10.5% from 2025, including around 8.7 million international and 10.4 million domestic visitors.
Alongside attracting more tourists through new products, events and experiences, the city faces another key challenge: maintaining service quality at every touchpoint throughout the visitor journey.
Similarly, Nguyen Nhu Hai, a resident in Da Nang found cash and jewelry left behind in his vehicle after driving two Russian tourists and took steps to return the belongings to their owners. Such everyday acts of consideration extend beyond transport services.
At Bac My An Market, vendor Nguyen Thi My Dung clearly displays prices and information about product origins, while avoiding aggressive sales tactics and arbitrary price increases.
Nguyen Thi Hoai Thuong, a local resident who frequently interacts with visitors in the city center, believes that the way local people treat tourists helps shape the image of a destination. It does not necessarily require anything extraordinary, she said.
Clearly displayed prices, fair treatment of visitors unfamiliar with local costs, careful directions and timely assistance can all make a difference.
Tran Ngoc Hoang, a tourist from Ha Noi who has visited Da Nang several times, said he feels comfortable exploring the city on his own.
When he needs directions, looks for a place to visit or chooses a restaurant, local residents are often willing to offer detailed guidance, while prices at many establishments are clearly communicated.
You can see the scenery in photos before coming, and you can read reviews of restaurants. But you have to come here to know what the people are like. When everything from getting around and eating to sightseeing feels convenient and you are treated with warmth and respect, you naturally want to come back.
Tran Ngoc Hoang, a tourist from Ha Noi
Nguyen Duc Quynh, the Chairman of the Da Nang Hotel Association and General Director of Bac My An Tourism Joint Stock Company, said good infrastructure and quality tourism products are essential to a destination, but visitors’ impressions are shaped throughout their entire journey.
During a stay in Da Nang, a visitor may interact with drivers, hotel receptionists, restaurant staff, vendors, security personnel and local residents.
A few minutes of timely assistance can sometimes remain in a visitor’s memory longer than a service delivered simply according to procedure.
When travelers share such experiences with family and friends or post them on social media, these personal stories can become an organic way of introducing the destination to new audiences.
Ultimately, the quality of a destination is measured not only by what visitors see, but also by how they feel during their stay.
For Da Nang, creating a sense of safety, convenience and respect is becoming an increasingly important part of the visitor experience and everyday kindness is helping make that impression last.