Vietnamese driver, owner fined $3,700 for carrying 47 passengers on 34-seater bus

The violation was detected on Saturday by highway traffic police officers when they were patrolling the route from Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang, a famed beach destination in south-central Vietnam.

Authorities found the 34-seater bus was carrying 47 passengers.

The driver, identified as 49-year-old N.N.H., was fined VND19.5 million ($740) for the offense, which violates passenger transport regulations.

The vehicle owner, Cuc Tung Company, was also penalized VND78 million ($2,960) for allowing the violation.

The driver admitted overloading the bus to increase profits amid high travel demand during the holiday period, which includes the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day break from April 25 to 27 and the Reunification Day and International Workers' Day holiday from April 30 to May 3.

Police warned that overstuffing passengers not only breaks the law but also poses serious safety risks, especially on long-distance expressways.

Officers added that enforcement will be tightened during peak travel periods, targeting violations such as overcapacity transport, improper cargo loading, speeding, and overloading.