The railway industry has reduced ticket prices for Thong Nhat trains by 30%.

Vietnam Railways Corporation has decided to reduce ticket prices by 30% on all Thong Nhat trains and apply a special discount program for customers who purchase tickets 30 days or more in advance.

Passengers buying train tickets will enjoy many discounted fares from the railway industry. Photo: VNA

Accordingly, from August 5th to August 28th, 2014, passengers purchasing tickets for Thong Nhat trains will receive a 30% discount compared to the current ticket price.

To purchase this type of ticket, passengers must buy it at least 30 days in advance and it only applies to journeys with a distance from departure station to station (1,300km or more). Furthermore, this program applies to individual ticket purchases only and does not apply to group ticket purchases or companies that have signed contracts to lease carriages or trains with lump-sum fares.

For passengers who purchase tickets several days in advance, a 50% deduction of the ticket price will be applied upon cancellation or exchange.

According to Ms. Phung Thi Ly Ha, Deputy Head of Hanoi Railway Station, the General Corporation's decision states that passengers who are beneficiaries of social policies and purchase tickets well in advance and meet all the above conditions will still receive a further discount after the 30% reduction.

In addition, Vietnam Railways Corporation also reduced the price of sleeper tickets on all Thong Nhat trains running from July 5th to September 3rd, 2014, with adjustments ranging from 5% to 17% compared to current ticket prices.

Specifically, groups traveling by train must be on the same train, depart from the same station, and have a representative to resolve any issues that arise during the journey. Discounts will be 2%, 4%, 8%, and 10% for groups of 20-29 people, 30-39 people, 40-49 people, and 50 or more people, respectively. However, during the periods from June 17th to July 31st and from August 29th to September 3rd, group ticket purchases will not be eligible for the discount.

Previously, in mid-June, the Vietnam Railways Corporation also decided that passengers would not be charged a fee for changing tickets, provided they met four conditions: the change must be made at least 4 hours in advance for North-South Thong Nhat trains; at least 2 hours in advance for express trains running within a section; and at least 30 minutes in advance for regular trains running within a section; the change must be at the same departure and arrival stations; the change must be made only once; and the railway can arrange a seat according to the passenger's request.

In addition, individuals who do not meet the above four conditions when returning or exchanging tickets will have 10% of the ticket price deducted for Thong Nhat and local trains, and 20% for international trains; groups will have 20% of the ticket price deducted and must return tickets at least 24 hours before the train departs.

According to Vietnam+