Street vendors hassle foreign tourists visiting Nha Trang pagoda

On August 3, street vendors were still operating outside the pagoda's entrance and motorcycle operators continued soliciting tourists.

Long Son Pagoda in Tay Nha Trang Ward was previously the site of a confrontation between a street vendor and Chinese tourists.

At a nearby bus parking area, buses were continuously bringing groups of South Korean and Russian tourists to visit the pagoda.

As soon as the tourists got off the buses, two women selling incense, fans and other items repeatedly approached them to solicit sales.

Nearby, a group of three or four people solicited foreign tourists to take motorcycle rides to visit the Buddha statue. They charged VND30,000-40,000 (US$1.2-1.5) for a round trip, allowing tourists to avoid climbing the stairs.

Security personnel were stationed at several locations around the pagoda. 

Inside the pagoda grounds, signs warned residents and tourists not to use motorcycle services to visit the Buddha statue at Long Son Pagoda.

Nguyen Dinh Anh Minh, chairman of the People's Committee of Tay Nha Trang Ward, said local authorities would step up inspections and take action to address the situation.

Minh said the ward would soon introduce measures to completely eliminate street vending and the unauthorized motorcycle service transporting tourists to the Buddha statue at Long Son Pagoda.

Those who fail to comply will face strict penalties in accordance with regulations.