Luan, a taxi driver who recently switched to the job after years of driving long-distance coaches, prepares a pre-recorded message in Vietnamese and English that plays as soon as the car sets off. The announcement welcomes passengers on board, reminds them to fasten their seatbelts and features the song Hello Vietnam, echoing the tone of cabin crew on commercial flights.
The idea recently went viral after Luan shared a video online showing the reaction of a foreign family he drove from central Hanoi to a resort in Thanh Hoa Province, a journey of about 200 km. The passengers, a couple travelling with two young children, appeared surprised and amused when the English-language message began playing.
Speaking to Dantri, Luan said the foreign passenger initially did not understand the Vietnamese announcement but became visibly excited once the English version started. The novelty helped break the ice and made the long journey more relaxed and enjoyable.
The recordings were produced with the help of AI and integrated into his phone. One message is played at the start of the trip, while another is used at the end to thank passengers and remind them to check their belongings, mirroring standard airline procedures.
Beyond the announcements, Luan pays close attention to keeping his vehicle clean and comfortable. He said hearing Hello Vietnam during each trip makes him feel proud to share a small piece of Vietnamese culture with passengers.
Having worked as a taxi driver for only two months, Luan said competition in Hanoi is intense, with many drivers vying for customers. Providing attentive and distinctive service, he believes, is essential to standing out.
“When you work in services, every customer deserves to be looked after carefully from the moment they get in the car until they leave,” he said. “If you do it well, they will remember you and come back.”
