Residents troubled by surge in vehicle parking costs ahead of Tet in Ho Chi Minh City

In Ho Chi Minh City, the prices of vehicle parking services often increase ahead of or during holidays, especially the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival; however, residents say that a climb of five to 10 times is unacceptable. 

Tet is around the corner and residents nationwide are flocking to religious sites or tourist destinations.

They have to pay for vehicle parking services there. 

Providers of parking services charge VND3,000-5,000 (US$0.1-0.2) per day for a bicycle, VND7,000-10,000 ($0.3-0.4) for a motorbike, and VND30,000-50,000 ($1.2-2) for three hours for a car on normal days.

However, many parking lots have inflated the prices by several times.

As a case in point, riders have to pay up to VND50,000-70,000 ($2-2.9), even VND100,000 ($4.1) to have a motorbike kept for several hours so that they can admire fireworks shows on New Year’s Eve.

Car parking prices have been raised to VND150,000-200,000 ($6.1-8.2) from VND30,000-50,000 ($1.2-2) for three hours.

Many people agreed that a slight increase in vehicle parking costs during holidays is acceptable as those working at parking areas have to keep others’ vehicles while the owners can freely entertain.

However, the vehicle parking service price hikes should be reasonable.

In order to keep the prices in check, local authorities should closely supervise vehicle parking service providers and impose heavy sanctions on those overcharging customers, or even suspend their operations.

A man who works at a parking lot at 264 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City said if customers leave their motorbikes at the parking lot within a day, they must take their vehicles before 10:00 pm and the price is VND10,000 ($0.4) each.

The rate is VND20,000 ($0.8) each if the motorbikes are left overnight. Their owners must take the vehicles prior to 8:00 am the next day.

At another parking lot on Huynh Thuc Khang Street, which is close to Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street in District 1, the service charge is VND15,000-20,000 ($0.6-0.8) per motorbike and VND40,000-50,000 ($1.6-2) for overnight parking.

Tran Manh Dung, a 24-year-old resident in Go Vap District, said that he left his motorbike at the parking lot for VND20,000 ($0.8). 

He was resigned to having his motorbike kept there despite the high cost as there is no parking area nearby, Dung added.

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