APEC 2017: 760 volunteers deployed to support APEC guests

Da Nang (VNA) – Nearly 760 English-speaking volunteers have been deployed to support foreign guests to the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, which runs in central Da Nang city between November 6 and 11.

More than half of them are students from local universities, while the remaining are mobilised by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and local state agencies.

Huynh Thi Hong Van, a volunteer, said her team, comprising 25 people, is responsible for welcoming arriving guests at the Da Nang International Airport and providing them assistance in customs clearance or guidance to get to their hotel or conference venues.

They have been divided in three groups in charge of three different areas of the airport, including domestic and international terminals.

“My team is here day and night in three eight-hour shifts”, said Le Thi Thao, one of the team’s members, noting that this job has brought her many new experiences. Meeting with foreign delegates from Singapore, China, Brunei, Thailand and more is a good opportunity for Thao to sharpen her English and other skills.

Each volunteer is an ambassador to bring foreign guests closer to the host country, so the most important thing is giving them a good impression about Vietnam with friendliness and enthusiasm.

For Huynh Bao Trung, a final-year student of foreign languages studies, the University of Da Nang, APEC 2017 is an amazing experience. His team has been assigned to work at the APEC International Media Centre throughout the summit. They are also ready to take foreign journalists on a tour around the city’s attractions or other places if requested.

Vietnam has put many efforts into hosting such a big international event and it is time for local people and volunteers to show their responsibility and take advantage of this opportunity to promote a friendly Vietnam to international guests, Trung said.-VNA