Efforts to stabilize transport fares

Amid recent fluctuations in fuel prices, transport enterprises in Dong Nai have proactively adjusted their operations to reduce expenses, maintain stable fares, or lower ticket prices when conditions permit.

A bus station employee checks passenger tickets before departure at Truong Hai Bus Station, Binh Phuoc Ward. Photo: Quang Minh.

Together with the decisive direction of state management agencies, these efforts have helped ease financial pressure on the public, stabilize the transport market, and create favorable conditions for travel, particularly during the peak summer season.

Authorities and transport enterprises work together to stabilize fares

Fuel prices are always among the factors that directly affect transport costs. Whenever fuel prices rise, transport enterprises face considerable pressure from higher input costs. However, rather than adjusting fares in response to every market fluctuation, many transport enterprises in Dong Nai have opted to cut costs and improve operational efficiency to maintain reasonable fares.

According to Tong Thanh Hai, Director of Dongnai Station and Transportation Services Joint - Stock Company, throughout the period of sharp fuel price fluctuations, the Dong Nai City People's Committee and the Department of Construction promptly issued directives and implemented a range of measures to stabilize transport fares. The consistent approach was to encourage enterprises to share the difficulties faced by the public, refrain from excessively raising fares, and help maintain stability in the overall price level.

The fact that road transport enterprises and the railway sector have proactively maintained or reduced fares when conditions permit reflects their efforts to share difficulties with the public. This approach is consistent with the policies of the central government and Dong Nai City, contributing to market stabilization, inflation control, and creating momentum for the recovery of production and business activities. When enterprises, management agencies, and the public work together to share benefits, the transport market will develop stably and sustainably while better meeting the community's travel needs.

To implement this policy, the Department of Construction regularly issues guidance documents and organizes meetings with relevant units, requiring fare adjustments to comply with regulations through proper declaration and public listing, while strictly prohibiting arbitrary price increases.

As the unit directly managing the local bus station system, Dongnai Station and Transportation Services Joint - Stock Company has promptly disseminated the relevant regulations to transport enterprises, requiring strict compliance with fares registered with state management agencies. During difficult periods, enterprises are encouraged to proactively restructure their operations and optimize operating expenses rather than raise ticket prices. "Thanks to the close coordination between management agencies and enterprises, most businesses operating within the bus station system are now strictly complying with regulations on fare declaration and public listing, with no cases of arbitrary price increases," said Hai.

At Bien Hoa Bus Station, information dissemination is conducted regularly through various channels, including posting guidance documents, broadcasting announcements over the public address system, and directly reminding enterprises. Trinh Hoai Vinh, Deputy Director in charge of Bien Hoa Bus Station, said that as soon as fuel prices fell and gradually stabilized, many enterprises proactively filed revised ticket fares in accordance with regulations. The operators reduced fares in line with declining fuel prices, striking a balance between enterprises' interests and passengers' rights.

Enterprises proactively reduce fares and improve service quality

The fare stabilization policy has received a positive response from many transport enterprises. Do Phuc Tai, Head of the Transport Vehicle Operations Department at Toan Thang Co., Ltd., said the company has operated the Bien Hoa–Vung Tau route for many years. Recently, it has closely monitored fuel price movements to develop appropriate pricing plans. When fuel prices rose sharply, the company made only minimal fare adjustments to offset part of its operating expenses.

Ticket prices on the Bien Hoa–Vung Tau route were temporarily adjusted to VND 180,000 per person per trip, but this rate was maintained for only a short period. Immediately after fuel prices declined, the company completed the required fare declaration procedures with the competent authorities and restored the fare to VND 160,000 per person per trip. "If fuel prices continue to decrease in the coming period, the company will continue to consider adjusting fares in a way that benefits passengers," said Tai.

At Truong Hai Bus Station, many transport enterprises have kept ticket prices stable in recent months. Ngo Van Them, a driver for the Minh Thang bus line under the Phuoc Long Transport Cooperative, said the Truong Hai–Da Lat route currently charges VND 350,000 per passenger per trip, VND 100,000 below the company's listed fare. Previously, when fuel costs rose sharply, the company increased ticket prices by only about VND 50,000 per ticket. After fuel prices eased, fares were returned to their previous level to help reduce the financial burden on passengers.

"Summer is a period when students and families have greater travel demands. Therefore, in addition to maintaining stable fares, enterprises are also focusing on improving service quality and ensuring safety to attract passengers," added Them.

Similarly, the Chin Nghia bus line continues to maintain the fares in effect since April 2026 for both sleeper and cabin buses: VND 450,000 per person for sleeper buses and VND 650,000 per cabin for cabin buses. Nguyen Thi Thu Hien, a ticket office staff member, said, "Although fuel prices have fluctuated many times, the company has not adjusted ticket prices. As a result, passenger numbers have remained stable, and many trips have been fully booked recently."

According to Bui Van Hieu, Business Director of Truong Hai Bus Station, the station currently serves 20 transport routes with approximately 80 vehicles operated by 20 enterprises. The station regularly inspects enterprises' fare declarations and public fare listings while advising passengers to purchase tickets at ticket counters or through official channels to avoid scams. The proactive efforts of many enterprises to share benefits with the public have helped stabilize the transport market, reduce travel cost pressures during the peak summer, and foster a healthy competitive environment.

In addition to road transport enterprises, Vietnam’s railway sector is also implementing various promotional programs to support passengers. From July 1 to August 16, 2026, many passenger trains on the North–South, Ho Chi Minh City–Nha Trang, and Hanoi–Vinh routes are offering a 10% discount on ticket prices, with reductions ranging from tens of thousands of VND to nearly VND 300,000 depending on the seat type.

Previously, from June 8 to August 16, 2026, the railway sector implemented a 10–20% discount program on many trains serving tourist destinations such as Dong Hoi, Da Nang, Quy Nhon, and Nha Trang. Notably, from June through the end of October 2026, students taking the high school graduation examination and enrolling in universities, colleges, and vocational schools are eligible for a 10% discount on all passenger trains.

The railway sector also continues to maintain preferential policies for people with meritorious services to the revolution, people with disabilities, senior citizens, and children. These programs help reduce travel expenses, provide additional travel options for the public during the summer, and share the financial burden with families that have high travel demand.

By An Nhon, Quang Minh – Translated by Minh Hong, Minho