Tet bus ticket demand from HCMC might drop 40 pct

Officials at Mien Dong (southeastern region) and Mien Tay (southwestern region) bus stations predict ticket sales for the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, called Tet in Vietnam and to commence late January, would drop 30-40 percent against last year.

Mien Dong Bus Station in Binh Thanh District on Tuesday forecast it would receive 20,000-22,000 daily passengers during the peak travel between Jan. 27 and 29, a decrease of 13,000-15,000 against last year.

At Mien Tay Bus Station in Binh Tan District, its management board stated for the peak period from Jan. 28 to 30, the station could receive 22,000-27,000 passengers per day, dropping 30-40 percent.

Though the predicted decrease is sharp, the management board at Mien Dong Station noted it is "expected" since it would only happen if the ongoing outbreak is brought under control by the Lunar New Year.

In case the situation deteriorates, few would still want to travel home for Tet, the biggest holiday and most important occasion for family reunion among Vietnamese.

HCMC along with its neighbors Binh Duong, Dong Nai and Long An are all major industrial and service hubs that lure many laborers from Mekong Delta and other regions.

Vietnam has been dealing with its fourth Covid-19 wave since late April.

The most challenging wave the nation has suffered by far, it has been responsible for nearly 1.55 million infections and 29,756 deaths.