Ho Chi Minh City adds river bus route to operate during Tet

Ho Chi Minh City has an additional river bus route from Bach Dang to Thu Thiem, operating as a double-decker tourist boat, picking up passengers until 11pm.

On February 7, the Thu Thiem Saigon Waterbus wharf and the Bach Dang - Thu Thiem waterway route opened at the Saigon Riverfront Park, Thu Duc City. At the opening ceremony, Ho Chi Minh City leaders said this was an important step to improve waterway transport infrastructure, creating a cultural highlight. This is also a transport infrastructure to inherit and promote the 300-year heritage of "on the wharf, under the boat" of Ho Chi Minh City.

The Bach Dang - Thu Thiem - Bach Dang route came into operation just in time for Tet, operating according to the tourism and sightseeing model by Saigon Waterbus' double-decker river bus.

Mr. Nguyen Kim Toan, CEO of Thuong Nhat Company Limited (Saigon Waterbus), said that the route has a stop at Thu Thiem train station, contributing to "changing the face" and creating a new breeze for the city's new urban area.

The new Thu Thiem water wharf space is now operational. Photo: Saigon Waterbus

The river bus route has a flexible schedule, every 30 minutes, from 8am to 11pm daily. The new waterway route has increased evening hours, expected to meet the nighttime entertainment needs of tourists to the city. In addition to the Bach Dang - Thu Thiem - Bach Dang route, other river bus routes also operate throughout Tet to serve residents and tourists.

At the end of December 2023, the river bus in Ho Chi Minh City will be upgraded to a new tourism product, taking visitors to enjoy the riverside city by double-decker boat. Ticket prices range from 179,000 to 399,000 VND.

When the Bach Dang - Thu Thiem - Bach Dang route is in operation, the double-decker river bus will have an additional stop to pick up passengers at Thu Thiem station, creating an opportunity for tourists to get off the boat to visit the riverside area in Thu Duc city, see the sunflower fields, book street, and walking street.

While the new river bus route is expected to boost river tourism, the Thu Thiem train station honors the city’s historical value. Mr. Toan said that the Thu Thiem ferry terminal was inspired by the old Thu Thiem ferry terminal, which is hundreds of years old.

The pier at Thu Thiem station. Photo: Saigon Waterbus

Saigon River Bus has been in operation since 2017. The first inner-city river bus route in Ho Chi Minh City has a route of nearly 11 km, connecting Bach Dang Wharf, District 1 and Linh Dong Ferry Wharf, Thu Duc City. Each trip takes about 30 minutes, with a ticket price of 15,000 VND per person. This bus route is currently a popular tourist product on the Saigon River.

Bich Phuong

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