Preserving a Civilized, Hospitable Image at Da Lat Market

Promoting civilized commerce

Alongside famous tourist attractions and check-in spots, almost every visitor to Da Lat makes time to visit its traditional market to explore, experience the local atmosphere and shop for souvenirs or gifts for family and friends.

One of the first impressions visitors have of Da Lat Market is the neat and orderly display of goods, while the market aisles are kept clean and unobstructed.

What many visitors remember most, however, is the way vendors treat their customers. From friendly greetings and enthusiastic advice to polite and welcoming attitudes, these interactions create a comfortable experience for shoppers.

Even when customers are only browsing or have not yet decided whether to buy, vendors remain courteous, without pressuring or persistently persuading them to make a purchase. Such seemingly small gestures help create the image of a civilized and hospitable market.

Nguyen Thi Hoang An, a visitor from Dong Nai Province, said: “When I visited Da Lat Market, I found the vendors quite friendly. They did not pressure customers to buy. Instead, they asked what we were looking for and then offered advice and recommendations to help us find products we liked.”

Ensuring product origins and transparent pricing

Civilized behavior helps create a positive impression, but maintaining visitor loyalty and building a long-term reputation ultimately depends on product quality.

According to the Da Lat Market Management Board, the market offers a wide range of goods, particularly food products featuring agricultural specialties from Da Lat and surrounding areas. These include fresh and dried or dehydrated fruits and vegetables, candies, jams, fermented beverages and tea.

Prices are another major concern for visitors, who may worry about paying excessive or inconsistent prices or being unfairly overcharged.

At Da Lat Market, stalls and kiosks are required to display prices publicly, giving customers clear information and more choices.

Nguyen Thi Kim Thoa, a vendor at Da Lat Market, said: “All products at my stall have their prices clearly displayed, so customers can shop with confidence and choose products that fit their budget.”

Do Minh Xanh, a visitor from Dong Nai City, said: “I visit Da Lat several times every year and always stop by Da Lat Market to explore and buy souvenirs. I think publicly displaying prices is essential because it allows visitors to easily compare and choose what they need without worrying about being overcharged or pressured into paying a higher price.”

Protecting Da Lat’s tourism brand

Da Lat Market, located in Xuan Huong - Da Lat Ward, is one of the largest traditional markets in Lam Dong Province. It is a well-known destination for sightseeing, experiencing local life and shopping, attracting local residents, visitors from across Vietnam and international tourists.

According to the Da Lat Market Management Board, vendors are required to sign annual commitments to comply with regulations on public security and order, urban management, food safety, environmental sanitation and civilized commercial practices.

Under these commitments, businesses must operate within designated hours and locations, keep their goods neatly arranged, avoid obstructing traffic inside and around the market, maintain public order, and strictly comply with food safety and environmental hygiene requirements.

As part of efforts to promote civilized commerce, vendors are also encouraged to follow the principle of being “gentle, courteous and hospitable.” They are prohibited from pressuring or persistently soliciting customers and must sell products within their registered categories, ensure product quality and origin, and publicly display prices.

Alongside communication efforts and vendor commitments, the Da Lat Market Management Board assigns personnel to conduct daily inspections of vendors’ compliance with commercial conduct regulations and price-display requirements.

Tran Quoc Trung, Deputy Head of the Da Lat Market Management Board, said: “Thanks to increased communication, vendor commitments and inspections by the authorities, most vendors have become more aware of and comply well with legal regulations on business and trade, civilized commercial practices and price display. These efforts not only create a better business environment for vendors but also help enhance the standing of Da Lat Market and protect Da Lat’s tourism brand.”