{"id":16701,"date":"2022-06-02T23:25:15","date_gmt":"2022-06-03T04:25:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abroader.org\/?p=16701"},"modified":"2022-09-08T12:00:05","modified_gmt":"2022-09-08T17:00:05","slug":"public-bus-in-vietnam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/abroader.org\/public-bus-in-vietnam\/","title":{"rendered":"PUBLIC BUS – THE MOST AFFORDABLE PUBLIC TRANSIT IN VIETNAM"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Public bus refers to a system of subsidized and non-subsidized buses operated by public and private enterprises, with over 100 routes running across many areas throughout Vietnam, especially in big cities like Hanoi or HCMC. The system itself is divided into many kinds of bus for a variety of transportation purposes, for example: big-sized urban bus, small-sized urban bus, minibus, airport bus, provincial bus, etc. Lately, the more eco-friendly CNG bus (in Hanoi) and the electric VinBus (in Hanoi and HCMC) have also gone into operation and much diversified the public bus map of the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Some of the buses on the road of Hanoi: Urban bus, CNG bus and VinBus.<\/em>
(Source: Hanoibus – Xe buyt Ha Noi, vietnamplus.vn, vingroup.net)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Note: <\/strong>In some other countries, short-distance public bus and long-distance passenger bus are altogether called \u201cbus\u201d. But in Vietnam, they are different. Here, the former is the only one called \u201cxe buyt\u201d (bus), while the latter is called \u201cxe khach\u201d (passenger bus).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Some of the buses on the road of Hanoi: BRT bus, minibus, airport bus and urban bus.<\/em>
(Source: Hanoibus – Xe buyt Ha Noi, vov.vn)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Operating hours and ticket fees<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of the buses start running from 05:00 and end their day at 21:00, with 5 \u2013 10 minute intervals between the two buses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ticket fees for each ride depends on the route distance, starting from VND 5,000 (US$ 0.21) and goes up to VND 9,000 (US$ 0.39) \u2013 for subsidized buses, no matter how many stops you pass. With non-subsidized buses, the fee will range from VND 15,000 (US$ 0.65) \u2013 VND 40,000 (US$ 1.72) depending on how far you go. You must buy the ticket right after boarding and in cash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
A ticket from the BRT01 route, with the price of VND 7.000 (US$ 0.3). (Source: autovina.com)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Another more economical choice is the monthly pass, ranging from VND 100,000 (US$ 4.31 – one route pass) \u2013 VND 200,000 (US$ 8.62 – all route pass). The price will be halved for students and workers, and fully reduced for the elderly or disabled people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The monthly pass can be bought at monthly ticket counters scattered around the cities, especially near universities and bus interchanges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
A monthly ticket counter. (Source: transerco.com.vn)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In Hanoi, each month will be represented by a stamp, while in HCMC, you buy a stack of 30 tickets for each month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
A monthly pass with stamps on it. (Source: timbus.vn)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For more details on the price, you can visit this page<\/a> on our website to get the currency converter and to have a look at the living costs in Vietnam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bus stops, platforms and interchanges<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Public bus stops in Vietnam are divided into three main types, respectively in size: normal stops, platforms and interchanges. Normal stops only have a pole and a sign with route information, whereas platforms have a pole and a roofed waiting area, and interchanges are the mix of many stops and platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Three main types of bus stop: normal stops, platforms and interchanges.<\/em>
(Source: laodong.vn, hanoimoi.com.vn, kinhtedothi.vn)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s have a closer look at the pole and sign at a normal bus stop. The sign is painted blue and has information on its two sides. On one side, you can find the most basic information of each route: the route number, the starting point, and the ending point. And on the blue side is the more detailed information about main stops, which helps you navigate where the bus is going to pass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
A typical bus stop with a sign writing the basic information of each route.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Also, each bus route has two directions: one away, and one return, normally with the starting point and ending point exchanged. This exchange is written on the pole as well, helping you differentiate which way to go, especially with the loop routes where the starting point and ending point are the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Important bus details<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The exterior<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A typical public bus in Vietnam differentiates from other passenger buses by the LED signs, together with the design unique to each city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bus stops on the right side of the road (except for BRT buses in Hanoi), so its two doors are also on the right, with one at the front for getting on, and one at the back for getting off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the front, at the back and on the sides of the bus, you can find the vehicle registration plates\/numbers as well. Remembering these numbers will help you if you lost something on the bus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Rush hour traffic in HCMC, with a bus in the background.<\/em> (Source: tuoitre.vn)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The interior<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right opposite the boarding door is the driver\u2019s seat, and above that, you can also find the vehicle registration numbers. Behind the driver\u2019s seat is a bus regulation sign with hotline numbers for you when you have questions or lost something. And, right around the door, you can see another sign also with hotline numbers on it. These are the numbers of the police to report any robberies or criminal cases you encounter on the bus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
The boarding door and its surroundings.<\/em> (Source: dooh.com)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Further inside are chairs for people who sit and holders for people who stand. Chairs closer to the floor are called priority seats, marked with a green sign next to it, and saved for the elderly, disabled, pregnant women and small children. Normally, you can sit on these chairs without any problems. Just remember to give the seat to the person when he\/she needs it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
The priority seat. (Source: danviet.vn)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Around the disembarking door, there is a rectangular sign with terminals and almost all main stops written on it. Not many people notice this, but you can use it to track and navigate your ride together with Google map, and without the need to constantly ask surrounding people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
The disembarking door and its surroundings.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cT\u00ecm Bu\u00fdt\u201d – the app for tracking buses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before boarding<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We recommend you to search the route before boarding to avoid going the wrong way as much as possible, since it will cost you a lot of money and time. And one way to do that \u2013 beside Google Maps \u2013 is using the app \u201cT\u00ecm Bu\u00fdt\u201d (bus finding).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cT\u00ecm Bu\u00fdt\u201d is the mobile app made by Transerco, the largest stakeholder of the Hanoi public bus system. The main purpose of the app is to track the in-coming buses and search the route with the help of GPS. The only drawback is that it can\u2019t track buses from private enterprises, like the CNG buses or buses from VinBus due to the different policies of these enterprises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The app is available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store. It has a simple interface with two main languages: Vietnamese and English, however the route names are still in Vietnamese, so if you already have the Vietnamese keyboard and master it, congratulations!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below is how to download the app (on Android devices), and search the route or track the buses using it. You can also download the app from the official website here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n