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On April 23, the Hanoi People’s Committee announced that it will implement a policy waiving fares for public passenger transport within the city during upcoming major holidays.
The policy covers all 128 subsidized bus routes and two urban rail lines currently in operation: Line 2A Cat Linh – Ha Dong and Line 3.1 Nhon – Ga Hanoi (elevated section). It will apply to all passengers using these services.
The fare waiver will last seven days, divided into two phases.
Earlier, the Department of Construction submitted a document to the Hanoi People’s Committee proposing fare waivers for subsidized public transport (bus and metro) for residents and visitors during the Hung Kings Festival holiday and the 30/4 and 1/5 holidays in 2026.
According to the Department of Construction, travel demand for sightseeing, recreation, and shopping is expected to be very high during the Hung Kings Festival holiday and the 30/4–1/5 holidays, including residents of the capital, neighboring provinces, and international visitors.
To implement the policy effectively, the Department of Construction said operating units must compile passenger data accurately. This will be used as a basis for the city to settle payments and assess the policy’s effectiveness in changing travel habits.
The Department of Construction said free fares can help reduce congestion and environmental pollution by encouraging more passengers to use public transport instead of private vehicles.
The proposal cites results from previous free-fare periods:
With the 2026 holidays falling close together, the Department of Construction said demand for sightseeing and recreation is expected to be even higher. It added that the fare waiver is intended to support residents while also promoting green transport infrastructure and sustainable development for the Hanoi megacity.
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