Coach companies in central Vietnamese province double fare despite regulation

February 03, 2016 | 14:19
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Multiple transport firms in a province in central Vietnam have doubled their ticket prices for Tet, ignoring a regulation established by local authorities, officials said on Monday.

In Lam Dong Province, many coach companies’ ticket prices for travel around Tet, from January 29 (the 20th day of the last month in the lunar calendar) to February 4 (the 26th day of the last month in the lunar calendar) have increased to between VND1.2 million (US$53.83) and VND1.5 million ($67.29) per person, dwarfing the regular ticket price of between VND600,000 ($26.91) and VND700,000 ($31.40).

According to regulations, ticket prices for routes from Lam Dong to Binh Dinh – a province in south-central Vietnam – must not increase by more than 60 percent, Nguyen Van Gia, vice director of the Lam Dong Department of Transport, said.

Ticket prices for travel within Lam Dong’s districts must not rise by over 40 percent either, Gia added.

Tet, or Vietnamese Lunar New Year, falling on February 8 this year, is one of Vietnam’s traditional celebrations based on family reunion and recreation.

A huge number of people flock back to their hometown from big cities after one year studying or working away from home.

During this time, some families travel while others decide to visit pagodas, expressing their best wishes for one another while also showing gratitude to their ancestors.

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