In Dong Nai, starting at 5 a.m., hundreds of officials and civil servants from the former Binh Phuoc provincial administrative center (Dong Xoai City) were transported by 45-seat buses to Tran Bien Ward (Bien Hoa City) to work in various departments after the merger. Those who opted for the bus service primarily work at the Provincial People's Committee Office, and the Departments of Agriculture and Environment, Industry and Trade, Culture, and Construction.

Thu Thao, an official from the former Binh Phuoc Provincial People's Committee Office, said she had rented a house near her new office for convenient commuting. "I will take the bus home on weekends and stay near the office during the week to focus on work," she said.

Former Binh Phuoc provincial officials are transported by bus to the Dong Nai Provincial Administrative Center in Tran Bien Ward on the morning of 1/7. Photo: Phuoc Tuan

Former Binh Phuoc provincial officials are transported by bus to the Dong Nai Provincial Administrative Center in Tran Bien Ward on the morning of 1/7. Photo: Phuoc Tuan

Nao Thien Anh Minh, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Department of Construction, said that this morning, the province arranged five 45-seat buses to transport 212 officials from Binh Phuoc. "So far, we have received nearly 500 officials registering for the bus service according to the schedule of 25 departments and units," Minh said.

The bus routes will run from the Binh Phuoc Administrative Center to the Dong Nai Provincial Administrative Center, a distance of 90 km, with a travel time of about two hours. Initially, 32 buses will operate two round trips per week, with a total cost of over 8.6 billion VND in six months.

According to the leaders of the Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee, the regular arrangement of these vehicles helps optimize working time during the week while ensuring a work-life balance for officials with families in Binh Phuoc.

In Ninh Binh, from 5:30 a.m., hundreds of officials from Nam Dinh gathered at the former provincial People's Committee headquarters to board buses to Hoa Lu (about 30 km away) for work. Twelve 45-seat buses transported over 500 officials to their workplaces, following a one-hour route.

The province arranged six bus trips per day (morning and afternoon) in July, prioritizing female officials, those with young children, those living far away, or those who travel by motorbike. From August to the end of the year, the number of buses will increase to 15 trips per session to meet demand. The Ninh Binh Department of Construction has been assigned to coordinate the organization, ensuring safety and cost-effectiveness.

Buses transport a group of officials to their workplace in Hoa Lu. Photo: Thanh Nam

Buses transport a group of officials to their workplace in Hoa Lu. Photo: Thanh Nam

Bui Thi Le, an official from the Department of Construction, said she woke up earlier than usual today to catch the bus to Hoa Lu for work. "I have some concerns because the workplace is far from home, but I'm also reassured that the province has arranged transportation," she said.

Meanwhile, Pham Thanh Dong, an official who moved from Nam Dinh, said that although there is some disruption because the workplace is far away, this is a major policy, so he will try to adapt.

In Ho Chi Minh City, the plan to transport officials from Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau to the administrative center in Saigon Ward was not effective on the first day. The city arranged 10 vehicles (four 45-seat buses and six 16-seat vehicles), departing from 4:30 a.m. at three different times, but no officials showed up at the pick-up points.

After 6 a.m., all vehicles gathered at the former Ba Ria - Vung Tau Administrative Center in Ba Ria City and continued their journey to Ho Chi Minh City without any passengers. A representative of the transportation company said that the return trips in the afternoon would continue as planned. In the coming days, the bus routes will be maintained according to the announced schedule.

The bus route from Binh Duong was in a similar situation. This morning, there were three trips at 5:30 a.m., 5:45 a.m., and 6 a.m., but no officials boarded the buses. However, the operating unit still ran the buses according to the contract and route.

Buses arranged to transport officials parked on Nguyen An Ninh Street, Tam Thang Ward, on the morning of 1/7. Photo: Dang Khoa

Buses arranged to transport officials parked on Nguyen An Ninh Street, Tam Thang Ward, on the morning of 1/7. Photo: Dang Khoa

A representative of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction said the main reason is that the personnel arrangement after the merger has not been completed, and many officials are still working in their former locations or using their own transportation. The agencies are continuing to review and adjust the plan to suit the actual needs.

According to the plan for transporting officials in Vung Tau, in the outbound direction, the bus departs from the Coopmart supermarket (Nguyen An Ninh Street), passing through 2/9 Street, Nguyen Huu Canh Street, 3 Thang 2 Street, National Highway 51, Truong Chinh Street, Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, Bach Dang Street, and enters the former Ba Ria - Vung Tau Administrative Center.

After that, the bus continues along Bach Dang - Nguyen Tat Thanh - Truong Chinh - National Highway 51 - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Expressway - Mai Chi Tho - Ky Con - Tran Hung Dao - Nguyen Thai Hoc - Le Lai and stops at the Saigon Bus Station. The bus departs at 5:10 a.m., 5:15 a.m., and 5:20 a.m.

In the return direction, from the Saigon Bus Station, it passes through Pham Ngu Lao - Yersin - Ky Con - Thu Thiem Tunnel - Mai Chi Tho - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Expressway - National Highway 51 - Truong Chinh - Nguyen Tat Thanh - Bach Dang - former Ba Ria - Vung Tau Administrative Center - 3 Thang 2 Street - Nguyen Huu Canh - 2 Thang 9 Street - Nguyen An Ninh - Coopmart supermarket. The bus departs at 5:10 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 5:40 p.m. The total travel time for both directions is about 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Reporting team