Metro Station No. 1
During the 2026 New Year holiday, public servants and employees will enjoy a continuous break from January 1st to January 4th, placing significant pressure on urban and inter-provincial transportation infrastructure. According to the Public Transport Management Center under the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction, the city’s bus network currently comprises 179 routes with over 2,300 vehicles. These will be flexibly adjusted to meet actual demand.
A highlight of this year’s plan is the free fare program for passengers on 106 subsidized bus routes on the first day of the new year.
Source: Phuong Trang
Notably, Phuong Trang Passenger Transport Corporation (Futa Buslines), operating 78 bus routes in the city, has announced free fares for all passengers on its routes, including non-subsidized ones such as routes 67, 109, 171, 172, 60-1, 60-3, 60-5, 60-7, and 63-1.
The company also plans to extend the free fare offer from February 16th to 18th, 2026, coinciding with the peak Tet holiday period, to support passengers.
In parallel with the bus system, the Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien Metro Line No. 1 will offer 100% free fares on January 1st, 2026. To accommodate the increased passenger flow for New Year’s Eve celebrations and fireworks, the operator has significantly boosted operational capacity.
Passengers at Ben Thanh Station – Metro Line No. 1
Specifically, on December 31st, 2025, Metro Line No. 1 will operate 264 trips, an increase of over 20 trips compared to regular days, with extended service until 11 PM. On January 1st, 2026, the total number of trips will rise to 276, including 20 additional trips between 12:30 AM and 2 AM.
This marks the official introduction of QR code payments via the HCMC Metro HURC app and acceptance of chip-embedded citizen ID cards at gates, signifying a new step in digitizing urban rail services.
At inter-provincial transport hubs, data from major bus stations indicates a gradual increase in passenger numbers without localized overloads. The new Eastern Bus Station expects approximately 29,000 passengers and over 1,725 trips from December 31st, 2025, to January 4th, 2026, with a peak of 7,000 passengers on January 1st.
At the Western Bus Station, vehicle volume is projected to rise by over 5%, with passenger departures increasing by more than 15% compared to 2025. The busiest day, December 31st, is expected to see around 32,000 passengers.
Mr. Nguyen Minh Tien, Deputy Director of the Western Bus Station, confirmed that transport companies have pledged not to raise fares and are prepared to deploy additional vehicles to handle any surge in demand, ensuring no ticket shortages for travelers.
Tết Bonanza: Farmers Reap Billions from Pomelo Harvest
As the year draws to a close, the lush orchards of Bac Ninh province burst into a golden spectacle, with ripe pomelos hanging heavy on the branches. These bountiful trees have become a treasure trove for local farmers, as each pomelo tree bears exquisite fruits, promising a lucrative harvest worth billions of dong during the Tet holiday season.
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Ho Chi Minh City’s 2025 Credit Growth Hits 13%, Remittances Surge to $10.5 Billion
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