VietNamNet Bridge – Parking-lot owners face fines of up to VND10 million (US$510) if they are caught overcharging customers more than once.

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The warning was made after inspections by Hoan Kiem District People's Committee during the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Ha Noi discovered that 17 parking lots had established their own prices, which were 10-20 times more than the official rate.

Most of the parking lots were unregistered and temporary operations.

The parking lot owners were fined VND6 million ($306) for their first violation.

Ministry of Finance regulations stipulate that parking lots can only charge VND10,000 ($0.5) for a car, VND2,000 ($0.1) for motorbikes and VND1,000 ($0.05) for bicycles.

Vice head of the municipal Department of Finance's Price Management Unit Vuong Thi Thu Hang said some parking lots inflated their prices because there were often not enough inspectors to handle the large amount of work, especially on busy nights.

Hang said the department had required districts to clear away unregistered parking areas and revoke licences from enterprises found violating the rules more than three times.

All parking areas have now been told to display their price lists and telephone numbers of the owners.

Vice head of Hoan Kiem Urban Management Unit Dao Quang Tam said two inspection teams had been set up to control the 100 or so parking lots in the area.

Nguyen Thu Thuy, a resident of An Duong Street, said she had to pay VND30,000 ($1.5) to park her motorbike at Nguyen Xi Street near Hoan Kiem Lake.

"I didn't feel like quarrelling with ticket collectors. If I hadn't agreed, I was afraid that I would have had to keep an eye on my motorbike myself," she said.

Tam said that most people were annoyed at being overcharged, but few informed the authorities.

"Passengers should call 113 or inform local authorities if overcharged. This will help control the situation," Tam said.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News