Da Nang (VNA) - Small traders atseveral markets in the central city of Da Nang, including Son Tra night market,are now being provided with free foreign language courses, to improve servicequality and woo more customers to their stores.

Since running her business at the Son Tra night market, an emerging touristdestination in Da Nang city, Pham Le Na has been aware of the necessity of learningforeign languages as she has to talk to customers from around the world everyday.

“I can speak English, Korean, and Chinese, but just for communication only, justenough to get the customers to buy my goods,” Na said.

Since the market was put into operation, the Son Tra authority has conducted trainingcourses on communication skills and service quality. The free foreign languageclasses in particular, which only last for only 4-6 weeks but stick to materialrelevant to traders’ products, has proved popular, making positive changes tosales.

Nguyen Anh Ngoc, who has a store in Son Tra night market, said she has learntto communicate with foreign customers.

“If we can speak their language, foreign customers seem to be happier and I cansell more products, she said.

Nguyen Thi Phuong Mai, Head of the Economic Division of the city said “through thetwo classes, we have found over 50 traders who are very excited and want to studya course on Chinese. So in the coming time, we are thinking of opening aChinese class, and maybe an advanced one.”

Despite their modest language proficiency, their hard work and hospitality havemeant that traders are leaving good impressions on tourists.

Tourists come to the pedestrian streets and night markets not only for shopping,but also to experience local lifestyle and culture. Hence, traders are tourismambassadors. Foreign languages help them improve business while luring moretourists to the destinations.-VNA.