There has been a shortage of passenger bus tickets to HCM City due to rising demand after Tet.

Passengers wait at the southern bus station of Nha Trang on February 11, 2019

Many firms operating on the Nha Trang-HCM City route have announced they are completely full on February 11 and 12. A ticket for the Nha Trang-HCM City route is sold for VND352,000 (USD15) including a maximum surcharge of 60%. According to an employee at Quang Hanh Company, the prices may only fall to VND200,000 after February 20.

There have been a huge number of passengers at the southern bus station of Nha Trang. The most crowded day saw over 4,000 passengers. On February 9 and 10, there were over 50 buses operating on the Nha Trang-HCM City route each day.

However, many disputes have been reported as customers found it hard to return tickets. A 50-year-old man said he had to seek out help from an employee at Nha Trang Bus Station to return a ticket and get his money back from Cuc Tung Bus Company. The bus company deducted VND120,000 (USD5) while regulations clearly state that returned tickets would only face a 30% booking charge. The original price of VND320,000 in this case.

Meanwhile, many bus companies in Quang Ngai have taken advantage of the situation to overcharge customers. Nguyen Tinh, a passenger who wanted to go to HCM City, said some companies increased the ticket price for sleeper bus to VND850,000 (USD37) per person, three times higher than normal.

"Even with a maximum surcharge of 60%, the highest ticket price should only be VND600,000," he said.

Do Tien Dat, deputy director of Quang Ngai Department of Transport, said he would investigate the situation and deal with violators.

"Any companies that violate the laws will be strictly punished," Dat said.

Dtinews