October 26th, 2006
Sans Souci pedicab
Foreign tourists feeling happy with
“Sans Souci” pedicab
For many years, Sans Souci pedicabs have become the favourite and unique means of transport for foreign visitors when they make a tour of Hanoi, but only few people know about its origin and owner.
Located in a small alley called Phat Loc in Hanoi’s ancient quarter, the office of Sans Souci Tourist Service Company is only a small house covering an area of 20 sq. m. The owner of the house is Do Anh Thu who is also the director of the company running almost all of tourist pedicabs in Hanoi.
Never before have so many pedicabs seen in Hanoi like nowadays and they become a favourite and unique means of transport for both domestic and foreign visitors. Director Do Anh Thu said: “Thanks to the state’s open-door policy, there are more visitors coming to Hanoi. In early 1990, realizing the increasing demand of touring Hanoi by pedicabs, I started my career, pedalling my pedicab around Hanoi. I still clearly remember my first foreign customer, Daniel Santal, a Frenchwoman who hired me for eight months. Thus, I was struck with the idea to establish a team of tourist pedicab cyclists in service of foreign visitors.”
Director Do Anh Thu
The first thing for him to do was to gather his friends and upgrade old rusty pedicabs, which were made with wooden handlebars and without a dome, into new ones with a white and chrome-plated frame, stainless steel handlebars, leather-cushioned seat and a red dome to attract tourists. To make a good impression on foreign tourists, he also named the team of cyclists, Sans Souci (Lit. no worry) which are not only words frequently spoken by the French, but also a message to help visitors feel safe and comfortable. With its prestige and good service, the name of Sans Souci pedicab has become more familiar to tourists in Hanoi. It is also known about as a rescuing team in Hanoi. Particularly, Sans Souci was directly selected one of the cultural teams by UNESCO.
To help cyclists communicate easily with foreign customers, Do Anh Thu has taught them simple sentences of greetings and invitations in English and French. Moreover, he always asks cyclists to have an enthusiastic service and be friendly and hospitable to customers.
Prime Minister of Czech Milos Zeman
touring Hanoi by “Sans Souci” pedicab
In 2002, when Hanoi authorities allowed tourist pedicabs to operate, he decided to establish, Sans Souci Tourist Pedicab Company. From a group of only 4-5 cyclists, his company now employs about 160 cyclists and has signed contracts with nearly 200 domestic and foreign traveling agencies. Particularly, his company has the honour to carry some important State delegations, such as Prime Minister of Czech Milos Zeman, the UK Government delegation, the relatives of French President Jacques Chirac and the Singaporean Prime Minister’s entourage.
For Director Do Anh Thu, he only wishes: “Pedicab will be a feature and a beautiful image deeply imprinted in the heart of tourists who visit Hanoi”.