HCMC – Interprovincial bus terminals in HCMC have finalized plans for the upcoming April 30 – May 1 holiday peak, with passenger traffic expected to surge sharply from a year earlier.
Notably, fare surcharges to offset empty return trips are capped at no more than 40% above normal rates and may only be applied for up to three peak days. According to major terminals, passenger volumes have already begun rising in the days leading up to the holiday. At the new Mien Dong Bus Station, more than 50,000 passengers are expected between April 29 and May 3, with the peak day on April 29 projected at around 16,000 passengers, up 110% year-on-year. Similarly, the old Mien Dong Bus Station is forecast to handle about 66,000 passengers, an increase of more than 104%.
Transport pressure is concentrated on short-haul routes and high-demand tourist destinations such as Da Lat, Mui Ne and Phan Thiet, as well as routes connecting to the central and Central Highlands regions.
On pricing, operators are encouraged to keep fares unchanged. However, where adjustments are necessary to cover return-trip costs, increases typically range from 20% to a maximum of 40%, depending on distance. The surcharge period is limited from April 29 to May 1.
Beyond road transport, other transport hubs are also bracing for a busy holiday. Tan Son Nhat International Airport is expected to handle an average of 130,000 passengers per day across around 760 flights, up 8% year-on-year. Con Dao Airport in Con Dao Island is seeing a sharper increase, with passenger numbers projected at 3,200 per day, up 36% from last year.
To cope with the surge, Saigon Transportation Mechanical Corporation and terminal operators said they are ready to deploy additional vehicles to ease congestion and ensure smooth passenger flows, avoiding overcrowding at stations.
