Rail freight tariffs trimmed by 5% across all routes from April 10 as passenger fares and freight charges are cut by 5%

From April 10, rail transport companies have reduced passenger fares by 5% and freight charges by 5% across all routes compared with current fares.

Fuel price context and tariff changes

In its latest Middle East conflict impact assessment report, the Ministry of Construction said that as of 15:30 on April 9, diesel price 0.05S had fallen 23% from April 8. However, the current price of 32,960 dong per liter (excluding VAT) remains high compared with February 20, when diesel was 16,836 dong per liter—equivalent to a 95.8% increase.

To ensure transport safety, rail transport operators must stock fuel for service provision for at least three days, meaning the observed reduction in fuel price has not yet affected the cost of providing transport services.

How fares and freight charges compare

From April 10, rail operators reduced passenger fares by 5% and freight charges by 5% across all service routes. Compared with ticket prices before the escalation of the Middle East conflict, passenger train fares have risen by 13% and freight charges by 22% across all routes.

Holiday service expansion and discounts

Vietnam Railways Joint Stock Company (VIR) said that from April 24 to May 3, more passenger services will be scheduled on several routes to accommodate increased travel during the Hung Kings’ Festival and the April 30–May 1 holidays. Discount policies for policy beneficiaries and social groups will be maintained.

Additional services on key routes

On the Hanoi–Ho Chi Minh City line, in addition to five daily pairs of Thống Nhất trains, SE11/SE12 will operate as additional services. SE12 will depart from Saigon on April 24, 25, 28, and 29, while SE11 will depart from Hanoi on April 26, 27, 30 and May 1, 2026.

Extra services will also be added on routes including Sai Gon–Quy Nhon, Sai Gon–Nha Trang, Sai Gon–Phan Thiết, and Hanoi–Da Nang.

The Hanoi–Lào Cai line will operate three pairs per day. The Hanoi–Hai Phong line will run four pairs per day, with an additional six trips and added carriages to boost capacity. The Da Lat–Trại Mát line will add the DL5/6 pair.

Discounts and free tickets during the period

During this holiday period, railways will continue discount policies for policy beneficiaries and social groups, including:

• 90% discount for people active in the revolutionary movement before the August 19, 1945 uprising and for war heroes’ mothers.
• 30% discount for people with meritorious service to the revolution.
• 30% discount for persons with disabilities (including foreigners).
• 15% discount for elderly Vietnamese citizens aged 60 or older.

There will also be free tickets for children under 6 when traveling with an adult and sharing seating. Each adult passenger can accompany one free child; from the second child onward, a child ticket must be purchased. A 25% discount applies to children aged 6 to under 10 with Vietnamese nationality.

A 10% discount applies to students (Vietnamese citizens studying at vocational schools, intermediate professional colleges, universities, or academies in Vietnam). The discount does not apply to graduate students.

Source: Nhật Quang, Fili