Ho Chi Minh City tourist bus route proposed

Ho Chi Minh City-based Mai Linh Taxi Corp yesterday proposed opening the first-ever bus route through tourist spots downtown.

Ha Phuong, director of Time Travel Tourist Co., an affiliate of Mai Linh Corp, yesterday gave a presentation to the city's transport department about the proposed route.

The bus service, which would cost US$7, would begin in the tourist budget district on Pham Ngu Lao Street and stop at 14 venues in the city.

For the first phase of the project, it would run every 30 minutes, and then every 15 minutes at a later date.

"The service, using six 24-seat Hyundai County or Cheery buses, would be targeted toward medium-income earners, both foreigners and locals, who often do not have suitable options for travelling to Ho Chi Minh," he said.

Ho Chi Minh City tourist bus route would stop at Ben Thanh Market, the War Remnants Museum, the Reunification Palace, the Opera House and the Ngoc Hoang (Jade Emperor) Pagoda.

The new service will offer passengers a chance to learn more about the history, culture and business activities of the country's largest city, Phuong said.

The service will run on a trial basis in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam before it is expanded to Hue and Hanoi, he added.

In a related matter, earlier on Monday Mai Linh Corp opened a two-way coach link from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap in Cambodia.

The normal fare for the return trip will be US$18, including food and drink, with visa fee excluded. A discounted fare of $15, however, will be offered until April 18.

(Source: Viet Nam News)