VietNamNet Bridge – Ha Noi’s Department of Transport has submitted to the city’s People’s Committee the route for a double-decker bus tour, the first of its kind for tourists in the capital city.

The double-decker tour bus on a trial run in June in Ha Noi. – Photo news.zing.vn

If approved, the service will be initially conducted on a trial basis for visitors to the city centre.

After a period of research, the city’s departments of transport, culture, sports and tourism and Ha Noi Transport Service Company (Transerco) have agreed the route for the bus.

Departing from Ha Noi Opera House, the service will operate twice a day through 19 streets including Trang Tien, Dinh Tien Hoang, Le Thai To, Trang Thi, Dien Bien Phu, Doc Lap, Hoang Van Thu, Hung Vuong, Thanh Nien, Yen Phu, Phan Dinh Phung, Hoang Dieu, Le Hong Phong, Nguyen Thai Hoc, Cua Nam, Phan Boi Chau, Ly Thuong Kiet, Phan Chu Trinh and others.

On weekends, the bus will again depart from the Opera House but avoid certain streets around the walking areas of Hoan Kiem Lake.

The city’s People’s Committee has asked the departments to study measures to ensure the safety of tourists on the second floor of the bus. The measures must be submitted to the city for approval.

The committee has also required Transerco to review ticket prices for the tour and submit to the Department of Finance for approval.

Last December, the Prime Minister agreed in principle with Ha Noi, HCM City and five other areas to pilot double-decker bus tours within five years.

The bus, painted a cheerful red, costs between VND7 billion (US$311,100) and VND9 billion ($400,000). It has 14 seats on the lower level and over 30 on the top. It is equipped with WiFi and is accessible for disabled passengers.

The city planned to conduct the first trial run of ten buses in July. However, the Ministry of Transport later asked the city to halt the operation of the buses to avoid overlapping with the operation of others public means of transport for tourists and ensure traffic flow. The new plan for the buses will be announced upon receiving guidelines from the Government. 

VNS