Trains boarding at Hà Nội Railway Station. Passengers are now mandated to furnish valid personal documents or other officially recognised papers during ticket procurement and while boarding the train. — VNA/VNS Photo

In a bid to enhance passenger safety and streamline travel procedures, the Việt Nam Railways Corporation has implemented a series of new regulations governing passenger transport.

Set to come into effect from January 1, 2024, these guidelines aim to create a more secure and efficient travel experience for both domestic and foreign passengers.

One of the key changes pertains to the documentation required for ticket purchases and train boarding. Passengers are now mandated to furnish valid personal documents or other officially recognised papers during ticket procurement and while boarding the train. This step is crucial in ensuring accurate passenger identification and adherence to legal requirements.

For foreign passengers, the documents include passports or consular letters from diplomatic agencies, consular confirmation of the passenger's identity, with affixed photos, sealed and explained for the lost passport of the passenger confirmed by the local police. Passengers need to present a valid train ticket and personal documents to enter the station and board the train.

Vietnamese passengers, specifically those aged 14 and above (classified as adults), face a set of document requirements that include passports; identity cards; citizen identification cards; certificates and certifications from armed forces; National Assembly delegate cards; journalist cards; party member cards; youth union member cards; car and motorcycle driving licences. In case a passenger does not have or loses their ID card, they must have a confirmation of identity with affixed photo and sealed by the local police where they reside.

Children aged 14 and below (classified as minors) are subject to different documentation. They, or their legal guardian, must provide passports, birth certificates, or confirmation papers for those under foster care.

When purchasing tickets online or via smartphone apps, passengers must accurately declare information matching their personal documents. For direct ticket purchases at counters or agencies, passengers need to provide full names and valid ID numbers. Passengers must carry personal documents and related papers matching the information on their train boarding pass.

Invalid tickets arise when the information on the boarding pass doesn't match the ID document, or the pass is altered. Passengers without valid tickets must purchase new ones to continue their journey.

These new regulations aim to enhance security and streamline the boarding process for train travel in Việt Nam. — VNS