Train tickets are sold out during the peak summer season.

Many families are choosing to buy train tickets a month in advance to return home and travel amidst the high demand for train tickets and airfare. High airfares, especially during the summer of 2024, have led many families and groups to choose trains for their trips home and vacations. Long-distance train tickets are in high demand. A survey conducted by reporters on the morning of June 20th showed that short-distance trains such as SE22 (Ho Chi Minh City - Da Nang) departing from Saigon station at 10:20 AM had no empty seats. Similarly, trains SE10 departing at 12:20 PM or SE6 departing at 3:00 PM (Ho Chi Minh City - Hanoi ) had very few empty seats in the air-conditioned soft seat compartments. However, there were still quite a few available sleeping compartments. Trains SE30, SNT2, SNT4, and SPT1 were almost completely full, with only scattered seats in some compartments. For longer journeys from Ho Chi Minh City to Ha Tinh, Quang Ngai, and Da Nang on all types of trains, tickets are completely sold out for all compartments.

Many families chose to return to their hometowns by train during the summer of 2024. Photo: TN

A survey of train ticket prices during the summer shows that prices have increased, but not significantly. For example, a soft-seat, air-conditioned train from Ho Chi Minh City to Phan Thiet costs 235,000 - 267,000 VND, while a six-berth air-conditioned sleeper berth to Nha Trang costs 500,000 VND (depending on the train and type of seat). Some longer routes, such as Ho Chi Minh City to Quang Ngai, cost 716,000 VND for a soft-seat air-conditioned train and over 1 million VND for a sleeper berth (depending on the train and type of compartment). Ms. Ho Huyen (residing in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City) shared: “My children have never traveled by train before, so this summer I decided to buy sleeper tickets for them to visit their grandparents. I find the trains now much cleaner and nicer than before, and it’s much more comfortable to move between carriages.” Ms. Huyen calculated that to buy train tickets, she booked them a month in advance, as tickets are usually scarce during the summer, while plane tickets are extremely expensive. Thus, Ms. Huyen's family only spent over 4 million VND on sleeper tickets from Ho Chi Minh City to Quang Ngai, while air travel cost over 10 million VND. Mr. Le Anh Tuan, Director of the Saigon Railway Transport Joint Stock Company Branch, said that from June 1st to June 15th, the number of passengers departing from Saigon station increased significantly compared to the summer of 2023. Specifically, the number of passengers boarding trains was 53,872/45,607 passengers, an increase of 18%. The number of trains also increased by 5%, with a total of 159 trains departing compared to 151 trains in 2023. Notably, the number of passengers traveling to Nha Trang increased the most, with over 13,000 passengers. “During the summer of 2024, train tickets will increase by about 3% depending on the train type, travel date, and seat class. The railway industry will also implement many promotional programs for train passengers,” Mr. Tuan said. According to Mr. Tuan, train ticket prices during the peak summer season have increased by an average of 11% compared to normal days. For example, seat prices from Ho Chi Minh City to Phan Thiet have increased by 11%, Da Nang by 10.8%, and Nha Trang by 13.8%. Passengers who purchase individual tickets for trains SE1/SE2, SE5/SE6, SE9/SE10, SE11/SE12 20-39 days before departure will receive a 5% discount; those who purchase 40 days or more in advance will receive a 10% discount. Rail tourism is booming. In the domestic market, due to high airfare prices, tourists tend to use rail and road transportation. Mr. Tran The Dung, General Director of Vietluxtour travel company, said that groups of several hundred to several thousand passengers tend to choose road and rail travel routes. Specifically, routes depart from Ho Chi Minh City to Phan Thiet, Nha Trang, Vung Tau, Phu Yen, Quy Nhon… or from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, Sam Son, Ninh Binh …

Tourism agencies report a significant increase in people choosing to travel by train during the summer of 2024. Photo: TN

In the railway sector, many travel companies can still book private train carriages during peak hours if the group is large enough – similar to charter flights – to have their own itinerary. According to experts, there are many reasons why rail tourism is increasingly attracting tourists during holidays, especially in the summer. Firstly, the railway industry proactively develops new products, renovates train carriages, and even provides five-star services on board. Secondly, rail travel avoids traffic congestion and ensures on-time departures. Finally, the ticket prices are reasonable. Ms. Nguyen Thi Khanh, President of the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association, reported that the number of tourists traveling by train and car from Ho Chi Minh City to nearby or more distant destinations such as Nha Trang, Phu Yen, and Quy Nhon during holidays has increased significantly recently. Ms. Khanh noted that the connection between the association, travel companies, and the railway industry in developing tourism products and creating new tour routes is crucial. This connection has been effective but requires units to expand online sales channels so that tourists can access them more easily. In the future, the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association will continue to exchange and work with the Vietnam Railways Corporation and travel companies to jointly develop reasonable and attractive tourism products that meet the needs of tourists. The railway industry should be more flexible in ticket prices and diversify routes and segments to give tourists more choices.

Passengers can freely choose their seats. Starting June 20th, Vietnam Railways Corporation is piloting a new ticketing method on HP1/2 trains on the Hanoi - Hai Phong route and SPT1/2 trains on the Ho Chi Minh City - Phan Thiet route, using an automated seat assignment system. The applicable seat type is air-conditioned soft seats.

The railway industry allows passengers to choose their seats before boarding the train. (Photo: Railway)

Accordingly, when passengers purchase tickets for these trains, the ticketing system will automatically select seats for passengers based on the number of people traveling on the train.

THY NHUNG - THU TRINH

Source: https://plo.vn/chay-ve-tau-hoa-cao-diem-he-post796523.html