Helping Every Woman Become a “Tourism Ambassador”

Making a Living on the Sand Dunes

At 4 a.m., Nguyen Thi Hai from Mui Ne Ward is already at the sand dunes preparing for another working day. Her sandboards are neatly arranged, ready for the first visitors arriving at sunrise.

What appears to be a simple job is in fact physically demanding. Every day, Hai and more than 30 women working as sandboard rental vendors and street sellers must constantly climb up and down the steep dunes. By midday, the heat becomes intense and strong winds blow fine sand across the area, yet the women continue serving tourists whenever visitors arrive.

“

Vietnamese tourists usually come early in the morning or late in the afternoon, but visitors from Russia, South Korea and France prefer noon because the wind creates beautiful sand patterns for photos. I don’t speak English, so I use gestures, and now smartphones help with translation. I just hope more tourists come and enjoy their visit, because that helps us maintain a stable income,

Nguyen Thi Hai

Most of the women working on the dunes have spent more than a decade there. Through experience and observation, they have gradually become informal tour guides. They share stories about the dunes, explain how the sand changes shape with the wind and point out the best photography spots throughout the day.

They also enthusiastically guide tourists to suitable sand-sliding areas, help them pose for photos and patiently teach visitors how to sit and keep balance for a safe ride.

Their friendliness, patience and hospitality have left strong impressions on visitors.

“

The women here are extremely friendly. They even help with directions and recommend local restaurants, all in a very genuine and simple way,

Huynh Cong Thanh, a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City

Building a Friendly Tourism Environment

Sandboard rental services at the dunes have existed for many years and provide livelihoods for dozens of local women. However, their work depends heavily on weather conditions and tourist arrivals. Competition among vendors is also unavoidable.

According to Le Thi Thu Hai, Chairwoman of the Mui Ne Ward Women’s Union, local authorities regularly emphasize the important role each service worker plays in shaping the destination’s image.

She said every resident can become a “tourism ambassador” through simple but meaningful actions such as friendliness, honesty in pricing and willingness to support visitors when needed.

The rapid development of technology has also changed tourist behavior. Before choosing destinations or booking tours, visitors often search travel websites and social media for reviews and recommendations. Even a few negative comments about overcharging, aggressive solicitation or environmental pollution can discourage tourists from visiting.

To help women working at the dunes become more professional and better represent local tourism, the Mui Ne Ward Women’s Union is strengthening its “Women Friendly to International Visitors” group. The initiative aims to reorganize sandboard rental services, encourage mutual support among workers and improve environmental cleanliness at the dunes.

The union also plans to coordinate training courses to improve foreign language communication skills and provide basic tourism knowledge for local women.

According to local authorities, these women are an essential part of the local tourism ecosystem, helping create authentic and uniquely local experiences for visitors.

“

When every woman takes pride in her work, upholds a positive image, and shows friendliness, she not only serves tourists but also helps tell the story of a welcoming and hospitable Mui Ne,” said Le Thi Thu Hai, Chairwoman of the Mui Ne Ward Women’s Union.

Le Thi Thu Hai, Chairwoman of the Mui Ne Ward Women’s Union