Children following tourists trying to sell items is a common sight in Sa Pa. VNA/VNS Photo

LÀO CAI — Tourists in Sa Pa have been recently seeing messages such as: "Do not give money to wandering children, beggars" and "Do not buy goods from peddlers, touts".

This is one of the measures being implemented to prevent children from following and pestering tourists to buy products.

"Buy it for me, buy it for me," said a group of girls around six to 10 years old following tourists trying to sell them items such as handicraft bags and keychains.

Many tourists shook their heads and refused, but the girls continued to cling on, offering souvenirs and repeating the phrase "buy it for me".

This is a common scene in Sa Pa. The occurrence of this situation varies depending on the time, whether it's the weekend or weekday, regular days or holidays, and the concentration of tourists and presence of authorities.

On crowded Thạch Sơn Street, a little girl carried a younger child after receiving money from some diners in a restaurant, hastily crossing the street towards a woman holding an umbrella, standing by a tree about 20 meters away from the restaurant.

"After giving money to the little girl and seeing the image of that woman, whom I assumed was her mother, taking the money and pushing the girl's shoulder under her feet to urge her to return and continue begging from other customers, I felt extremely upset and heartbroken," shared Kiều Lê, a tourist from Hồ Chí Minh City.

Moreover, even though there is a sign that says "Do not give money to wandering children, beggars. Do not buy from peddlers and hawkers" right in front of them, many people still feel sorry for the children. "There are children carrying infants as young as a few months old, looking very pitiful. If you don't buy from them, they become very unpleasant," shared Quốc Toàn, a tourist from Đà Nẵng.

An electric vehicle driver who often transports passengers to tourist spots said that he always advises people in the vehicle not to buy goods or give money to children. However, many tourists still give money out of sympathy for the children. In some cases, generous tourists even give large denominations ranging from VNĐ500,000-1 million (US$21-42).

According to statistics, on weekends, the central area of the town has about 90 children and 40 adults peddling, and begging from tourists. Photo baodantoc.vn

The Department of Culture and Information of Sa Pa town stated that recently, the situation of peddling, clinging, street vending, and begging has increased in the area. According to statistics, on weekends, the central area of the town has about 90 children and 40 adults clinging, peddling, and begging from tourists, an increase of over 40 per cent compared to the period from March 10 to April 24. Street vendors in the town mainly concentrate in high tourist traffic areas such as the market square, Stone Church, old bus station area, around the lake, and Vạn Hoa Park. They come from various communes and wards such as Trung Chải, Hoàng Liên, Mường Hoa, Tả Van, and Cầu Mây.

According to the assessment of the authorities, it is easy to observe that if tourists continue to give money and buy goods from children, and if adults can profit from exploiting children as is currently happening, it will be very difficult to completely eradicate this problem.

Consensus needed from tourists

Phan Đăng Toàn, General Secretary of the Sa Pa Municipal Party Committee, revealed that according to statistics, in 2015, there were nearly 600 ethnic minority women who regularly went to the central area or tourist gathering places to peddle, street vend, and beg. After many efforts in propaganda, mobilisation, and support for new livelihood solutions such as vocational training, job placement, stable vending locations, loans for tourism or agriculture development, by 2019, the number had decreased to only about 100 people. However, since the recovery of tourism after COVID-19, the activities of clinging, peddling, and begging have become increasingly complex.

In response to this situation, starting from the beginning of 2023, the Party Committee of Sa Pa decided to establish a Steering Committee to address the issues of clinging, peddling, and begging in the town.

The Steering Committee organises investigations to find out the identities and backgrounds of the individuals involved. They arrange for personnel to meet with each individual to disseminate information, mobilise support, and understand their livelihood needs in order to provide sustainable livelihood support solutions.

Local authorities use loudspeakers to encourage people not to engage in peddling and begging. Photo baodantoc.vn

The Sa Pa Municipal Party Committee instructs propaganda agencies to strengthen their activities through various media channels to reach tourism businesses and all tourists visiting Sa Pa, encouraging them to actively cooperate with the town by not buying goods or using services from peddlers and beggars, and by not giving money or gifts to wandering children. Tourism businesses are advised not to allow these individuals into their premises to engage in clinging, peddling, and begging, which disturb tourists.

According to Toàn, individuals who deliberately exploit children for personal gain will be strictly dealt with, to protect the legitimate rights and interests of children.

"I call on the people and tourists to continue to reach a consensus and support Sa Pa in this matter, in order to build a brand in the National Tourism Area that is not only clean and beautiful but also civilised, friendly, and welcoming," Toàn said. — VNS