According to the Quang Ngai Inland Waterway Port Authority, fares on the route between Sa Ky Port and Ly Son Island have been cut to VND 227,000 (about USD 9) per ticket, down VND 10,000 from previous levels.
Residents of Ly Son and public officials working on the island are eligible for a reduced fare of VND 193,000 (about USD 7.60). Discounts also apply to people with disabilities, elderly passengers and tour guides.
Passenger ferry to Ly Son Island (Photo: Quoc Trieu).
Tran Dinh Xem, a boat owner operating on the route, said ticket prices are calculated based on multiple input costs, with fuel being the most significant factor.
“When fuel prices rise, operators have to increase fares to offset costs, and vice versa,” he said, adding that recent declines in fuel prices prompted the latest reduction.
Earlier this month, ferry operators simultaneously raised ticket prices from VND 207,000 to VND 237,000 (about USD 8.10 to USD 9.30) after fuel costs surged amid tensions in the Middle East. The VND 30,000 increase per ticket triggered complaints from residents and passengers.
Authorities in Ly Son called on relevant agencies to review the pricing and urged transport firms to adjust fares to avoid affecting both local residents and tourists.
The Quang Ngai Department of Construction also described the earlier VND 30,000 increase as unreasonable and formally requested operators to lower ticket prices.
