>> Hanoi parking lots take people to the cleaners
Many parking lots in Hanoi have raised parking fees, ignoring pricing regulations and causing public discontent.
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| Many parking lots in Hanoi have raised parking fees, ignoring pricing regulations and causing public discontent |
A 4,000-square metre parking lot on Vu Ngoc Phan Street, Dong Da District, which can accommodate around 200 vehicles, charges fees that are much higher than those stipulated by city regulations.
Daytime fees are VND5,000 (USD0.24) for a motorbike and VND30,000 (USD1.44) for a car. Overnight fees are VND10,000 (USD0.48) for a motorbike and VND50,000 (USD2.41) for an auto.
This is in direct violation of city regulations, which limit fees to VND2,000 (USD0.09) for a motorbike, VND10,000 for a car of less than nine seats or trucks with load of weighing less than 1.5 tonnes. The overnight fees should be, at most, three times higher, and monthly rates are capped at VND1 million (USD48.3).
The police are currently investigating this particular parking lot.
Many parking lots around Hoan Kiem Lake also impose high fees. The plot opposite to the Water Puppet Theatre often charges VND30,000 (USD1.44) for an auto. Yet, even if customers complain, they have no choice but to pay, due to lack of parking spaces.
This is not a unique situation. For example, at Viet Duc Hospital, they charge VND5,000 for a motorbike.
The buck does not stop here
Phu Thi Hong Ha, Deputy Head of the Hanoi Finance Department, said, “It’s very difficult to monitor the prices of every parking lot.” According to her, this responsibility falls to local authorities.
She added that the Finance Department is only responsible for aiding other agencies to enforce city code.
The Hanoi Finance Department has proposed increasing fines for fee violations, and also suggested that the fines in large cities should be double those of in outlying areas.
According to the law, lots that violate the law several times should have their licenses revoked, but somehow many of them continue to operate.
