Metro and river bus services have been popular choices among residents and tourists in Ho Chi Minh City during the National Day holiday. Photo: Supplied
This year’s National Day break lasts five days, from August 29 to September 2, drawing large crowds of residents and visitors to entertainment venues and public transportation services across Ho Chi Minh City.
The first metro line, which connects Ben Thanh Station in the city center to Suoi Tien Coach Station, and the Saigon Waterbus have been particularly busy.
According to Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway No. 1 Co. Ltd., the operator of the metro line, the trains will make a total of 264 trips on September 2, up from 228 on a normal day.
From 9:00 pm to 10:30 pm, trains will run five minutes apart to accommodate passengers attending the National Day fireworks display.
Passengers can access the service by scanning a chip-based identity card at ticket gates, using an HCMC METRO QR code on the HCMC Metro HURC app, or obtaining a free QR-coded paper ticket from automated kiosks.
The HCMC METRO QR function on the app will become available on September 2 and will be valid only that day.
The operator has advised passengers to use one of the three free-ticket options.
Those who purchase a ticket will be charged and will not be eligible for a refund.
From September 3, the metro line will return to its regular operating schedule.
A brightly lit double-decker river bus cruises along the Saigon River at night. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre
Water bus services to increase
Water buses and tourist boats will also increase their services on National Day.
At Bach Dang Wharf, the urban river bus service has become a popular choice for residents during the holiday break.
Families and groups of friends have been arriving at the wharf to take boat rides, enjoy views of the city and take photographs.
Nguyen Kim Toan, director of Daily Company, which operates the Saigon Waterbus, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) online newspaper that passenger numbers for the water bus and other services provided by the firm have been high in recent days, exceeding 3,000 riders in total.
Passenger traffic is expected to peak on September 2, reaching nearly 4,000 riders, Toan said.
With numerous events taking place in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, including a fireworks display, the company will increase the number of boat trips and related services.
On normal days, the water bus operates around 30 trips, but that number will rise to between 45 and 50 trips on September 2.
Additional staff will also work longer hours at the wharf to sell tickets, provide directions and assist passengers.
Double-decker sightseeing buses are also expected to attract large crowds during the holiday, with some 1,000 passengers each day.
A total of 48 trips will operate across two sightseeing routes.
One route covers the central area, passing major landmarks including the Independence Palace, the Notre-Dame Cathedral and Saigon Central Post Office.
The other, the Saigon-Cho Lon route, takes passengers through historic neighborhoods, architectural landmarks and areas with large Chinese-Vietnamese communities.
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