Hanoi bus stations ready for 80th National Day holiday rush
Passenger numbers will spike on August 29 and August 30, particularly as visitors travel to Hanoi for the celebration of the 80th anniversary of National Day, which falls on September 2.
THE HANOI TIMES — Bus stations across Hanoi have prepared detailed plans to arrange vehicles and ensure services amid rising travel demand on the upcoming National Day holiday.
Bus stations across the capital have finalized plans to serve passengers during the September 2 National Day holiday. Photos: Pham Cong/The Hanoi Times
According to the Hanoi Bus Station Joint Stock Company, travel demand will rise as much as 350% during this year’s four-day National Day holiday that runs from August 30 to September 2.
The surge will be most visible on urban routes and connections to bus stations, railway stations, airports, shopping centers, entertainment venues, and pedestrian streets.
Passenger numbers will surge between August 28-30 in both directions, with the peak occurring on September 1-2 before tapering off.
Deputy Director of Giap Bat Bus Station Ta Anh Tuan said that the daily number of arriving and departing passengers could reach 30,000 people during peak days, about 350% higher than normal.
He expected 850-900 bus trips each day during the peak days, with demand concentrated on routes to the provinces in the South of Hanoi such as Ninh Binh and Thanh Hoa.
Transport operators have pledged not to raise ticket prices arbitrarily.
“We have drawn up transport plans well in advance for the National Day holiday. The entire workforce is ready for on-site guidance, passenger monitoring, and pre-departure vehicle inspection,” Tuan said.
According to Deputy Director of My Dinh Bus Station Vuong Duy Dung, passenger numbers will peak on September 1-2.
The figure may soar by 350% from normal day levels to reach 22,000 outbound and 12,000 inbound travelers per day.
Around 950 trips are projected daily, with about 530 extra trips added during the holiday to meet traffic demand.
Social security and traffic safety remain top priorities, Dung said.
"The station will work with local police, and traffic officers to crack down on unlicensed operators, illegal pick-ups, and other violations," he said.
“All transport companies operating at the station must commit to keeping their fares unchanged on the holiday. We will strengthen inspections to ensure tickets are sold at listed prices.”
Nuoc Ngam Bus Station is decorated brightly to welcome the September 2 National Day.
At Nuoc Ngam Bus Station, Deputy Director Trinh Hoai Lam said that passenger numbers will spike on August 29 and August 30, particularly as visitors travel to Hanoi for the military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of National Day.
The return peak is expected on September 3, when passenger volume could rise by 250% to 300% compared with normal days, he said.
“We plan to add 500 trips per day during peak times to ensure sufficient capacity and avoid congestion,” Lam added.
Tightening public transport management
All Hanoi bus stations have prepared flexible management plans to adapt to real-time developments.
Measures include stricter security, anti-theft operations, fire prevention, and environmental sanitation.
The stations are also coordinating with police and traffic inspectors to enforce transport regulations, prevent overloading and ticket overpricing, and promptly handle vehicles or drivers lacking valid documents.
Colonel Pham Van Chien, Head of Hanoi's Traffic Police Unit No. 6, said that his team has developed traffic diversion plans both on-site and from a distance to ensure smooth circulation, especially at gateways and around bus stations.
Hundreds of additional vehicles are ready to serve passengers.
“We have been conducting checks and maintaining full coverage of key areas, and got ready to handle any incidents," he said.
"Police officers are also working with local units and transport companies to raise public awareness of traffic regulations,” he said.
During the holiday, the Traffic Police Unit No. 6 will conduct random alcohol and drug tests on drivers directly at and around My Dinh Bus Station and others.
Chien said that the operation aims to detect and prevent unsafe driving, and ensure passenger safety.
He stressed that these checks will prevent risks at the source, reducing the chance of accidents.
Nuoc Ngam Bus Station's deputy director Lam advised that passengers buy tickets from counters at the station, and via official sales channels to avoid black-market prices.
He also recommended that passengers arrive at the station early, particularly during peak hours on the morning of August 30 and the afternoon of September 2–3, to secure their seats.
“We have been working with local police and traffic officers to strengthen monitoring inside and outside the station, thus ensuring violations are quickly addressed to safeguard passenger safety,” he said.
