While some coach operators have yet to finalize ticket prices, major bus stations in HCMC have permitted certain routes to increase fares by up to 40 percent compared to regular days.

Minh Phuong of HCMC recently checked ticket prices for the route from HCMC to Dak Lak, where several operators informed him that fares would increase from the night of August 28 through September 2.

Phuong said his ticket purchased at the counter usually costs VND350,000 for the journey from the Old Mien Dong Bus Station to Ea Sup Bus Station (Dak Lak). But sleeper bus operators now quote VND490,000 per ticket, a 40 percent increase over normal days. For cabin-style limousine buses, normal fares of VND500,000 per cabin have risen to VND680,000.

Similarly, Phan Oanh has found that current fares announced by operators range from VND450,000–490,000 per ticket. Despite the hike, she decided to book early to avoid sellouts as the holiday approaches.

Market surveys indicate that interprovincial bus fares from HCMC to various provinces are rising across the board for the September 2 holiday.

For example, on the HCMC to Dak Lak route, standard 34- to 44-seat sleeper buses typically charge VND350,000–400,000 per ticket at station counters; holiday rates have risen to VND450,000–550,000 per ticket, depending on the drop-off location. Premium limousine buses have also increased from VND500,000 on regular days to VND650,000–800,000 per ticket.

For long-haul routes like HCMC to Da Nang, standard fares typically hover around VND500,000–550,000, but some operators have listed holiday rates at VND700,000–770,000. Premium options saw substantial hikes, rising from VND650,000–900,000 to the VND910,000–1 million threshold per ticket.

In the Mekong Delta region, routes from HCMC to Can Tho, Soc Trang, and Ca Mau are undergoing similar adjustments.

Certain routes allow increases

Regarding traffic for the September 2 holiday, three major bus terminals in HCMC forecast significant passenger volumes due to the 5-day holiday break.

A representative from Old Mien Dong Bus Station (Binh Thanh Ward) said that from August 28 to September 2, the terminal expects to serve 70,850 passengers and about 3,488 bus departures. Peak demand is anticipated on August 28–29, with roughly 19,000 passengers per day.

Regarding ticket pricing, Old Mien Dong Bus Station encourages transport companies to maintain regular fares. In cases where transport operators declare price adjustments to cover empty return trips, fare surcharges are permitted for a maximum of 3 days, from August 28 to the end of August 30, capped at a 40 percent increase over regular days.

At New Mien Dong Bus Station (Long Binh Ward), Samco Corporation encourages operators not to raise fares. Where price adjustments are declared, the surcharge duration is also limited to 3 days, from August 28 to the end of August 30.

Under these guidelines, routes from Da Nang southward to Dong Nai, the Mekong Delta, the Central Highlands, and intra-provincial HCMC routes may adjust fares by no more than 40 percent over regular rates. Routes extending from Hue northward to Northern provinces are not permitted to raise ticket prices.

Leadership at New Mien Dong Bus Station projects passenger volume over the September 2 holiday to reach 65,700 trips, a 10 percent increase year-on-year, while operational vehicles will increase by 2 percent compared to last year's holiday. 

Passenger traffic will concentrate heavily on short-haul routes extending from Da Nang southward to HCMC. Peak traffic is expected on August 29, reaching approximately 16,000 passengers through the terminal.

To handle anticipated crowds, the terminal management committed to continuously monitoring passenger and vehicle flows across all routes to adjust supply, focusing vehicles on key routes to minimize congestion and passenger buildup.

If passenger surges exceed transport capacity, the station will coordinate to mobilize maximum supplementary vehicles, including buses with fixed-route badges and contract passenger vehicles.

At Mien Tay Bus Station (An Lac Ward), total passenger volume from August 28 to September 2 is projected to reach 278,700 visits, up approximately 1 percent compared to the same period in 2025.

Mien Tay Bus Station noted that routes to Mekong Delta provinces are permitted to adjust fares up to 40 percent above regular prices for a 2-day period. For routes heading to the Central Highlands, Central, and Northern regions, surcharge caps and implementation timelines will align with the operational plans of Old and New Mien Dong Bus Stations.

Thu Ha