National Day brings sudden boom to travel industry

A four-day weekend means travel will be popular and keep the transportation sources busy during Vietnam’s National Day.

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During the National Day holiday, Hanoi\'s My Dinh Bus Station expects to see an increase in the number of passengers traveling on shorter routes to Viet Tri City, Thai Nguyen City, Cam Pha Town, Cao Bang and Thanh Hoa provinces as well as longer routes such as Vinh City, Son La, Ha Giang and Dien Bien provinces.

Nguyen Manh Tien, Manager of the My Dinh Bus Station said, “We will coordinate with transportation companies to mobilise 60 additional buses [for the holiday]. We are determined to strictly adhere to safety regulations and keeping our passengers in the best of care while using our services."

Tien added, “This year’s National Day holiday is close to the great celebration of Hanoi’s 1,000 year anniversary so there will be a massive number of tourists visiting the city.”

Nguyen Nhu Truc, Manager of Gia Lam Bus Station shared, “The number of passengers during the holiday are expected to go up by about 30%. The afternoon of September 1 and morning of September 2 will be peak days. Gia Lam Bus Station will use 50 additional buses to accommodate passengers.”

Truc said that the ticket prices will not be changed during the holiday. The management board of the bus station will coordinate with Gia Thuy Ward’s Police to ensure security, prevent picking up passengers on the way and stop brokers from disturbing passengers.

According to Nguyen Tat Thanh, Manager of Hanoi\'s Giap Bat Bus Station, the number of passengers is expected to be over twice higher than normal days. Giap Bat Bus Station will use 70-100 additional buses to carry passengers on the afternoon of September 1 and in the morning of September 2.

It is recommended that passengers buy tickets directly from the station to avoid being overcharged by brokers.

The Hanoi Railway Station will operate two additional trains transporting passengers from the South to Vinh City and from the West to Sa Pa.

Train operators are unable to meet the demand of reclining-seat and soft seat with air conditioning orders of traveling tours from Hanoi to Sa Pa, Vinh City, Quang Binh Province or Hue City.

Phung Thi Ly Ha, Vice Manager of the Hanoi Railway Station said, “Currently, soft and hard seat with air-conditioning tickets are sold out.”

Ha recommended customers be present at the railway station 30 minutes earlier than departure time to avoid missing their trips.

Many air tickets during the National Day holiday have been sold out as well.

According to Vietnam Airlines’ sales offices, all air tickets from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang on September 1 and 2 have been sold. Also, most air tickets from Hanoi to Da Nang or Hue have been sold. There are only very few business class air tickets from Hanoi to Da Lat on September 1 and 2.

Air tickets of Jetstar Pacific Airlines from Hanoi to Nha Trang have also been sold out. The number of passengers who book air tickets from Hanoi to Da Nang or Hue is increasing so there are very few tickets left.

Travel agents cannot book air tickets during this time because the holiday schedule was announced late. Only individuals can book because there are very few tickets on certain routes left. However, air tickets from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City during the coming holiday are still available.