Sabah, the city of 5 million residents, has been appealing to visitors since they first set foot on it because of a very distinctively cultural characteristic of the west coast of Malaysia intertwining the distinct cultures of Indian, Chinese and Malay peoples. This makes up a colourful cultural picture.
On Sabah beachside people start their days quite early, at 5-6 o’clock, about two hours before official business hours. When the sun rises, they lay out things they collected the previous night to sell to customers. Their sold things may be a small handful of seaweed, some oysters, octopuses or some mango fruits or peppers. The morning petty markets are busy but reflect their frugal and austere life. The sunburnt faces of women surrounded and followed by their children or running sweats on the faces of fishermen or fish bakers surrounded by smoke show their patience of poor labourers in places where sellers outnumber buyers. Groups of children play around their parents or gather in big groups to play together or with tourists. That daily life is somewhat contrary to the surroundings of markets, dense queues of vehicles along roads or noisy airplanes flying above. The austere life seems to give way to a picture of friendly and lively life and joyful busy people.
Administrative agencies in Sabah start working at 8:00 am. Hence, the shopping time usually begins when the sun sets. The streetsides are full of shops and stores while the streets are full of vehicles. Automobile is a common means of transport here. People here are encouraged to buy cars in instalments and gasoline prices are partially subsidised by the Government. A litre of gasoline costs 19 ringgits, an equivalent to VND14,000-15,000. Hotel receptionists also go to work by car. An official from the Sabah Tourism Promotion Agency said her family has five cars. They pay in instalments for their cars every month, depending on incomes, in 8-10 years.
Although many bustling trade centres launch sales programmes with discounts ranging from 10 percent to 50 percent in big sales season from June to August, the distinctive traditional culture of Sabah exerts a strong pull on tourists far and wide. Roadsides are full of shops selling a variety of handicrafts, clothes and souvenirs to foreign tourists at a discounted price. It is easy to see that souvenirs are of typical tradition. Visitors can easily buy very cheap Malaysian typical items like sarong, dresses and batik T-shirts for adults and children. Batik silk, Basah tea, chocolate, Boun Maman honey and coconut oil are famously typical products of Malaysia. Remarkably, from the smallest things to the most expensive ones in the market are all hand-made in Malaysia. Imports hardly find a way into this place, particularly foodstuff. Local people said the Government advocates importing products Malaysia cannot make, except for foodstuffs.
Markets open until midnight. Many supermarkets open around the clock. Tourists are free to buy, bargain or take photos. Muslim shopkeepers are always friendly and patient, even to the most discerning customers and photographers. Salesgirls are willing to take photos with tourists. A table-cleansing boy, aged 4-5, smiles brightly and waves his hand when he is seeing a camera pointed to him. Cab drivers are also willing to take pictures with tourists. Even, lover couples sitting on a bench to watch the sunset also keep friendly smiles and wave hands to curious visitors.
When you cross the road, vehicles may stop to give way for you. Or when you shoot a photo, people nearby also move to other places to avoid spoiling your picture. Smiles and thanks are always on the lips of people here.
To boost tourism in places outside Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya administrative centre, Tourism Malaysia – the tourism authority of Malaysia – has recently focused on this area. It has invested to upgrade infrastructure, roads, hotels, restaurants and other facilities. Currently, the close cooperation between Vietnam and Malaysia in various fields, particularly tourism, has also facilitated people of the two countries to further understand each other. If a trip is well-designed to explore the natural beauty of Sabah and the modernity of Kuala Lumpur, it will be a perfect Asian tour for tourists.
Thu Huyen
Đăng ký: VietNam News
