Vietnamese New Year, known locally as Tết, is critically important for many families as they travel to reunite with loved ones, and this year has seen significant travel-related challenges emerge as the holiday approaches.
According to various reports, residents of Ho Chi Minh City are experiencing major difficulties when trying to book rides via rideshare apps during the days leading up to Tết. Many drivers have admitted to turning off their apps to return to their hometowns early, causing substantial delays and frustrations for passengers trying to book rides. Reports indicate it can take over one to two hours for users to secure transportation, even when surge pricing is effectively employed.
A spokesperson from Grab confirmed to Người Lao Động the basic fare rates for their services remain unchanged, but with the high demand and the congested traffic typical for the Tết season, the operational difficulties for drivers have escalated, especially during peak hours. They emphasized their commitment to resolving these issues and improving service conditions for customers.
Similarly, Be Group reported increased demand for their rideshare services amid the surge of travelers and shopping activities linked to the festive period. Congestion, particularly around the city center, is significantly impacting pick-up and drop-off times, driven by the increased volume of holiday-related travelers. To address this, Be has enhanced its routing and navigation features, enabling drivers to avoid congested areas, and actively recruits additional drivers to meet increased demand.
Transportation hubs, including airports and bus stations, are also bracing for the waves of travelers. Observations from Tuổi Trẻ reveal heightened activity at major transit points such as the Tân Sơn Nhất airport and the Miền Đông bus terminal, where early moving patterns suggest travelers are trying to avoid the peak periods typically associated with the holiday.
Beginning January 20, the new Miền Đông bus station saw thousands of passengers crowding its waiting areas, with rushes building as travel dates approached. A representative from the station confirmed tickets for key routes to Binh Dinh, Quang Ngai, and Phu Yen charged out quickly, pointing to the trend of early ticket bookings to avoid the stress of last-minute travel.
Concerned passengers have opted for early arrival and scheduling to mitigate risks of congestion and the potential shortage of tickets typical during the Tết travel rush. Travelers have shared their experiences, emphasizing the advantages of using public transit like the metro, which offers affordable and convenient access to the area without the stress of street congestion.
At the same time, the public transit agency plans on deploying additional vehicles and maintaining enhanced operational schedules to cater to the expected 93,529 passengers daily during Tết, as noted by transport department representatives. They anticipate this will help to mitigate congestion and provide sufficient services during peak travel days.
Meanwhile, at the airport, similar strategies are being employed. The task of accommodating around 4 million passengers and 26,000 flights reflects the need for optimized entry and exit processes being explored at Tân Sơn Nhất, including measures aimed at easing congestion at check-in counters and boarding gates.
It has emerged from interviews with passengers, including one named Huyền Trang, the early challenges of booking rides to the airport have contributed significantly to worries about missing flights, prompting many to prioritize punctual arrival at the airport. To rectify this, taxi services have committed to increasing their fleet during peak hours, aiming to minimize wait times for travelers.
With the increasing passenger loads for both bus and air transportation, officials and companies alike are enhancing strategies to meet the demands of this busy travel season, including encouraging greater use of transit options beyond just road vehicles. Among these solutions are plans for shuttle buses connecting airport passengers to local transit points to ease roadway stresses.
Enforcement authorities have mobilized additional resources with more personnel at known congested areas to direct traffic effectively and reduce delays. This response is accompanied by enhanced communication tactics and real-time monitoring to facilitate swift resolution to potential choke points at major transit stations.
While many are making their seasonal travel plans, officials caution early booking and transportation method preparations to avoid the holiday rush, reassuring the public they are doing all they can to manage increased transportation pressure effectively during this affluent and culturally significant season.
Traveler experiences underline the key takeaways from these challenges: plan early, remain patient, and stay informed about the latest transportation trends and options during this busy time of year, ensuring the joy of the holiday season isn't overshadowed by transit woes.