Train and bus tickets are scarce, workers struggle to leave their hometowns after Tet

Ms. Bui Thi Thuyet, from Thanh Yen commune, Thanh Chuong district, shared: "I went to Hanoi to work on the 6th day of Tet. The ticket price from Thanh Chuong to Hanoi increased by 40% compared to normal days, from 150,000 VND to 250,000 VND. However, because I booked tickets early, there were still seats available. Many of my brothers and friends did not have tickets to go out today."

Workers wait in a long line for vehicles on Vinh bypass. Photo: Quang An

According to the reporter's investigation, most bus routes to the provinces and cities are sold out. Many people have to postpone their departure date due to the "sold out" situation after Tet.

Mr. Ngo Truong Sinh in Dien Nguyen, Dien Chau said: "Because I booked late, I didn't have a main seat and had to buy a passenger seat, which also increased the price by 20% compared to normal days."

Contacting the bus owners, most of them reported that there were no more tickets left. Thanh Thuy bus owner, who runs the Vinh - Hue route, said: "From the 2nd day of my bus's resumption until today (the 6th day of Tet), most of the tickets are fully booked. Many people called to book tickets but I had to refuse because if they carry too many people, they will be fined."

Crowds of passengers waiting for trains at Vinh station after Tet holiday. Photo: Quang An

According to the reporter's records, at Vinh Station on February 21 (the 6th day of Tet), there were many passengers waiting for the train. Of which, the Vinh - Hanoi, Vinh - Ho Chi Minh City, Vinh - Hue routes had the most passengers booking tickets.

According to the Vietnam Railways homepage, today (the 6th day of Tet), there are 7 train routes running from Vinh to Hanoi to serve people after Tet holiday including NA8, TN4, SE10, NA2, TN6, SE2, SE4. However, most of them are fully booked. Especially NA2, NA8 routes have no more tickets.

According to research, train ticket prices have also increased compared to normal days. Mr. Duong Minh Giap in Dien Chau said: "I took the train from Cho Sy station (Dien Chau) to Hanoi for 130,000 VND/extra seat ticket, an increase of 30,000 VND/ticket compared to normal days. However, almost everyone accepts it because it is extremely difficult to find tickets these days.

Similar to long-distance buses, on the morning of the 6th day of Tet, most bus stops were crowded. Ticket prices are posted and do not increase during this Tet holiday despite the high number of passengers.

Train tickets for the Vinh - Hanoi route on the Vietnam Railways homepage are fully booked on the 6th day of Tet. Photo: Quang An

The scarcity of train tickets after Tet easily leads to a situation where ticket brokers are ready to sell tickets to passengers without their ownership.