Chairman of the Da Nang’s People Committee Huynh Duc Tho on July 6 signed a decision to impose administrative fines on six Chinese people who entered Vietnam and worked as tour guides without permission from authorities.

The violators, including five women and one man have to pay VND 20 million (USD 900) each.

The municipal People’s Committee has ordered inspection of tourism activities across the city, especially unlicensed Chinese-speaking tour guide services.

An illegal Chinese tour guide (wearing cap) pictured in Da Nang city. Photo: tuoitrenews.vn

Travel companies, hotels, and Vietnamese tour guides that lend a hand for foreigners to illegally operate in the field will be strictly punished.

The local Department of Tourism has closely worked with the district People’s Committees as well as relevant agencies to strengthen measures to enhance management of tourism activities.

The immigration department in the central region along with the municipal police has closely followed the regular entrance and exit of foreigners in Vietnam.

The State Bank of Vietnam’s branch in Da Nang is proposed to tighten inspection on the use of foreign currency of foreigners in shopping or transaction while traveling around the city.

Da Nang has so far imposed a total VND 215 million in fines on 12 illegal foreign tour guides and one travel agency for breach of tourism regulations, according to Director of the municipal Department of Tourism Tran Chi Cuong.

The city has seen a significant increase in Chinese tourist arrivals over the last few years. It welcomed an estimated 211,000 Chinese visitors in the first half of 2016, up 83 percent against the same period last year.

Chinese tour guides and tour operators have made use of such upward trend to offer unauthorized services to Chinese holidaymakers to the city.

According to the country’s tourism regulations, foreign travel firms must work with Vietnamese agencies and use local tour guides if they want to bring tourists into the country.

Source: VNA