Tens of thousands of passengers gathered at bus stations on the night of April 26 and early morning of April 27 to depart from Hanoi for the national holidays.

People buy tickets at Nuoc Ngam (Underground Water) Bus Station. Photos: Pham Cong/The Hanoi Times

Starting on April 27, people living in the capital will enjoy a five-day break. Many of them choose to return to their hometowns or spend on vacation.

As of 11 p.m. at the Nuoc Ngam (Underground Water) Bus Station, thousands of passengers, including children, were in line to buy tickets. It was not until they had possessed tickets to begin the trips.

The bus station management board kept announcing additional sales, while the staff and bus companies worked as hard as they could to make sure the buses departed on time and safely.

Among the passengers, Ha Thi Thuy has spent years working in Hanoi and planned to return to her parents in Nghe An Province’s Nam Dan District. She had booked tickets for the whole family one week earlier and secured the best seats.

“My family and I left for the bus station as soon as the working time ended. Although I have expected the bus station to be filled up with thousands of passengers, I am now still overwhelmed,” she told The Hanoi Times.

Nguyen Hoai Nam, an origin from Ha Tinh Province, said that he chooses to travel at night on expectations to save time and costs, and he will have more time to stay with his family back home.

“For us, who have been working far away from the family, it is our happiness and joy to take the early buses and return home. Overnight tickets are the most purchased as it takes us only one night on the road,” he said.

At Giap Bat Bus Station, Nguyen Thi Hanh from the northern province of Yen Bai, was waiting for the bus with her grandson.

“I took my grandchild to the station to take the early bus,” she said. “As I take the early trip of the day, I don’t have to rush among other people. I’m pleased with the ticket prices, too.”

Passengers wait for their buses ready at Giap Bat Bus Station.

To prepare for the significant increase of passengers on holidays, Trinh Hoai Lam, Deputy Director of Nuoc Ngam Bus Station said that the facility has provided more buses to serve the demand of people.

According to local bus stations, the five-day national break falls from April 27 to May 1. The long holidays will encourage Hanoi residents to move away from the city for leisure.

Buses are preferred because of the increasingly high airfares, which become unaffordable for a majority of people. They are likely to travel to neighboring localities of Hanoi for vacation.

It is estimated that the number of passengers traveling through Hanoi bus stations will increase by 300-350% compared to normal days.

Director of Giap Bat Bus Station Tran Manh Ha early this week forecast that the number of travelers will peak from the afternoon of April 26 until the morning of April 28. It may rise by 30% compared to normal to 15,000-18,000 passengers a day.

To meet transport demand, bus stations, and bus companies have committed to increasing the number of trips per day, keeping the ticket prices stable, and raising the number of buses. They will also ensure their drivers and buses meet all safety standards.

Local authorities will also conduct regular monitoring around bus stations and along the streets to make sure the buses depart on time, and keep the street clear and secure for passengers.

Part of Nuoc Ngam Bus Station in Hanoi.