To meet the growing needs of international visitors, the Ho Chi Minh Museum recently collaborated with the Hanoi Free Private Tour Guide (HNFTG) club to select and train English-speaking volunteer guides for the museum.
Hanoi Free Private Tour Guide is a non-profit club that provides a professional environment for members to practice English, develop themselves, exchange knowledge, and introduce the beauty of Vietnam’s landscapes and people to friends worldwide.
To ensure high standards, beyond English proficiency, members of the HNFTG club must meet specific criteria, including knowledge of culture, history, religion, and cuisine, as well as essential tour guiding skills. Specifically, the Ho Chi Minh Museum provides specialized training regarding the life and revolutionary career of President Ho Chi Minh as it relates to the museum’s permanent exhibition system.
Following the coordination and training period, the Ho Chi Minh Museum selected 18 volunteer guides. By the end of October 2018, this team had successfully guided over 90 international delegations from 29 different countries, including the UK, France, USA, Netherlands, Belgium, China, Russia, New Zealand, and Peru.
This marks the first time a volunteer guide model has been implemented at the Ho Chi Minh Museum, and it has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from travelers. On the leading travel portal TripAdvisor, Mr. Torento, a visitor from Australia, shared:
“The Ho Chi Minh Museum is a very interesting display combined with the story of a very impressive man, ‘President Ho Chi Minh’, associated with the history of Vietnam. Anyone who speaks English can request a volunteer guide at the counter. Kudos to Ngoc for guiding us; she was able to answer any question I threw at her.”
Similarly, Mr. Timo from Peru commented: “A great museum for history lovers… An English tour is very helpful and eye-opening.”
Furthermore, the experiences at the museum have provided a favorable environment for volunteer guides to hone and improve their foreign language skills, a valuable asset for their future careers after graduation. Student Nguyen Van Tien shared: “At first, I just thought this was a life opportunity, but I didn’t realize it would bring so many benefits. My English has been pushed to a new level; I feel like a new person compared to yesterday.” Student Nguyen Thi Tram noted: “My speaking and presentation skills have changed significantly. I used to stutter and feel shy in front of crowds, but now I have improved tremendously.”
In the coming time, the Ho Chi Minh Museum will continue to cooperate with the Hanoi Free Private Tour Guide club to further enhance the effectiveness of this guiding model. This initiative contributes to promoting the Ho Chi Minh Museum to international tourists more widely, fostering the very best impressions of Vietnam.
Source: Ho Chi Minh Museum, November 2, 2018
Discover Vietnam’s Legacy with Hanoi Free Private Tour Guide
Hanoi Free Private Tour Guide is a dedicated collective of local enthusiasts committed to sharing the profound heritage of the Vietnamese people with the global community. Our club boasts a vibrant and intellectually driven team of guides who possess a deep-rooted passion for the cultural and historical narratives that define our capital. We believe that by empowering the younger generation to act as storytellers, we ensure that the beautiful values of our history are preserved and passed down through the years. Our guides do more than just show the way; they provide context, heart, and a local perspective that transforms a museum visit into a meaningful cultural exchange. We strive to introduce the authentic image of a welcoming and knowledgeable Vietnam to every international friend who visits our shores, fostering a legacy of hospitality that bridges nations.
Ready for a deep dive into Vietnam’s revolutionary history? Connect with the Hanoi Free Private Tour Guide Club! Experience our professional and passionate “Volunteer Ambassadors” as they bring the stories of the Ho Chi Minh Museum to life just for you. Book your insightful free tour today and connect with the true spirit of Hanoi!
