Ho Chi Minh City launches first-ever nighttime water bus service
Friday, December 10, 2021, 12:19 GMT+7
Thuong Nhat Company, the operator of Ho Chi Minh City’s water bus route No. 1 between Bach Dang Port in District 1 and Linh Dong Ward in Thu Duc City, piloted its first nighttime water bus tour on the Saigon River on Wednesday.
At 5:00 pm on Wednesday, several Ho Chi Minh City residents gathered at Bach Dang Wharf in District 1 to begin a nighttime water bus journey along the Saigon River.
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| A man takes a photo of his children on the water bus in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, December 8, 2021. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre |
As the sun began to set, passengers boarded the water bus to begin their exploration of the local waterways, flanked by the dazzling lights of downtown and serenaded by traditional music.
Nguyen Minh Hieu, a passenger aboard the water bus, said that he had never experienced the Saigon River at night and found the tour to be an emotional and relaxing way to spend time with family after a long day at work.
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| A staff member checks and scans the QR code on a passenger’s ticket before exiting the water bus. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre |
"In my opinion, the city should plan a more diverse set of river bus routes, including additional services at wharfs and aboard boats," Hieu said.
"New routes could be linked with tourist destinations along the river."
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| A band performs a song for passengers aboard the water bus in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, December 8, 2021. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre |
According to a representative of Thuong Nhat Company, the nighttime water bus runs daily between Bach Dang Wharf in District 1 and Binh An Wharf in Thu Duc every day from 7:00 to 8:00 pm, beginning Friday.
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| A group of friends ‘cheer’ on the water bus in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, December 8, 2021. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre |
Tickets for the journey cost VND15,000 (US$0.65) apiece per turn.
Water bus route No. 1 began operations in 2017 as the city's first public waterway passenger transport line, running daily from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm.
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