Summer train tickets increase by 5-10%

The railway sector is increasing prices by 5-10% for the summer season due to input costs, while also implementing an AI-powered flexible pricing system to optimize expenses and enhance passenger choices.

The railway sector is set to increase train ticket prices by 5-10% for the upcoming summer season, citing rising input costs, particularly fuel price fluctuations. To balance financial stability and maintain service quality, Vietnam Railways Corporation is also rolling out an AI-powered flexible pricing system designed to optimize costs and provide more options for travelers.

This flexible pricing system, launched on 1/5, operates on the electronic ticket platform. It utilizes artificial intelligence to analyze booking data and automatically adjust prices for short, unoccupied segments once longer routes have been sold. This dynamic pricing model aims to increase competitiveness against other modes of transport, offering discounts ranging from 15-35%.

A one-week pilot program for the system, conducted from 22/4 to 29/4, successfully sold 9,376 seats, resulting in direct savings of 523 million VND for passengers.

Passengers planning North-South journeys can benefit from discounts of 5-10% by purchasing tickets 20 days or more in advance. This applies to Thong Nhat trains SE1 to SE12, as well as specific routes from Saigon to Da Nang, Quy Nhon, and Nha Trang, according to specified distances.

Further discounts are available for social policy beneficiaries who book 40 days or more in advance, though these do not apply to round-trip or group tickets. Conversely, passengers purchasing tickets within 48 hours of departure will face higher fares: a 7% increase for journeys under 1,000 km and a 5% increase for those over 1,000 km.

The railway sector continues to offer preferential rates for social policy beneficiaries, including Heroic Vietnamese Mothers, those who rendered meritorious service to the revolution, wounded and sick soldiers, the elderly, students, and children. The corporation also implements various discount programs for round-trip, group, and early bird purchases, with flexible rates based on specific conditions.

For the summer period, Vietnam Railways will operate five daily Thong Nhat train pairs, including SE1/2, SE3/4, SE5/6, SE7/8, and SE9/10, with SE11/SE12 currently under consideration for additional service. In addition, seven regional train pairs will maintain service on routes such as Hanoi to Vinh and Da Nang, Saigon to Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phan Thiet, and the Hue - Da Nang route. Four additional train pairs will be added on weekends for the Saigon - Quy Nhon, Nha Trang - Da Nang, and Hanoi - Dong Hoi routes.

After three weeks of sales for the period from 15/5 to 16/8, Vietnam Railways Corporation has sold approximately 150,000 seats out of a total of 1.5 million seats available.