Daniel Hung the “Walking Guidebook”
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With multilingual skills and an intimate knowledge of Vietnam, Daniel Hung is the ultimate resource for foreign tourists.
Daniel Hung was born in 1950 in Cambodia and became a French citizen in 1978.
However his mother is Vietnamese and taught him much about Vietnam, a place he has spent much of his adult life.
His many years in Vietnam and linguistic abilities have turned Daniel into a walking guide book for the French community.
Daniel knows so much about Vietnam that Lonely Planet and Le Guide du Routard (two world-famous travel guide magazines) list his name and address for French tourists seeking guidance and knowledge when they visit Vietnam.
“Lots of tourists have hired me to work as a tourist guide and photographer because I am multilingual. I know a lot about Vietnamese customs and I also know many interesting tourist spots in Vietnam,” Daniel said.
“I am able to help foreigners understand more about Vietnam.”
Daniel lived in many countries in Europe and Southeast Asia growing up.
As a result, Daniel can combine his knowledge of Vietnam with the ability to speak Khmer, Vietnamese, French, English, Italian, and Swedish.
By trade, Daniel has primarily worked as a photographer for Paris Match, L’express, and Liberation… One assignment sent him to Eastern Europe during wartime as a photo journalist.
He has been contracted to work in different countries around the world because of his ability to speak so many languages.
This, along with his mother’s teachings, has given him a broad appreciation for the differences among national cultures.
In 1992, Daniel Hung decided to settle in Ho Chi Minh City.
Since then he has contributed to the French community, worked as a photo journalist, opened a photography shop, a Khmer restaurant, been a business consultant, and is currently a marketing manager for a French pharmaceutical company.
One of his proudest achievements has been the number of French newcomers he has helped to integrate to living in Vietnam.
“I give advice to French families about how to interact with the Vietnamese people. I showed them good places to live and where to buy things. I also show them recreation areas, schools, hospitals, and more.” Daniel said.
Daniel’s years of traveling in Vietnam for photography and tourism has given him unique knowledge he uses to take tourists to many less known areas while also being able to provide them with in depth historical context.
John Conroy, an American tourist, said, “Daniel is a talented tourist guide. He is not only good at languages, but also his cultural knowledge is extensive.”
Frank Klees, a French fishery businessman said, “Daniel has helped me by taking me to the town of Chau Doc in the Mekong Delta to see people raise fish in river enclosures. He has also taken me to Nha Trang to learn about the process of fishing and trading seafood at several fishery businesses there.”
In recent years, Daniel has taken part in charity activities to help maintain pagodas.
Additionally, he donates money and creates awareness among the community of foreigners for the plight of the poor and underprivileged people in Vietnam.
Daniel said, “I have to work hard to look after my family. However, I can see that many people are less fortunate, so I want to give them a helping hand.”
Source ThanhnienNews
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