Hanoi invested hundreds of thousands of USD to build travel information kiosks for tourists four years ago. Now all of them are left fallow or deteriorating.
In 2006, the first 70 kiosks were installed, with touch-screen computers, providing information about Hanoi to tourists.
They were placed in front of hotels, at railway stations, public sites, relics and tourist destinations, providing information in English and Vietnam. Travelers can self seek the information they need on the touch screen.
Each kiosk cost the city nearly USD10,000. The investor is Dat Viet Advertising Company, which confirmed that this kind of machine is specialized so it is very firm. The investor planned to replace the machine in seven years, at the cost of USD3,700/unit.
An additional 130 kiosks were installed in 2007.
After four years in use, these kiosks are deteriorating, evident in the following photos:
