Both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have announced free bus travel within the cities, starting July 1. The policy is to encourage greater use of public transportation, helping ease traffic congestion and promote greener mobility as Vietnam's two largest cities work to cut emissions in line with the government's Directive No. 20.
Accordingly, Ho Chi Minh City will offer free rides on 134 bus routes across the city, while Hanoi will waive fares on bus routes operating within and across Ring Road 1. Here's a guide to the fare-free routes, along with key things to know before traveling around the two cities by bus.
Ho Chi Minh City: route from Ho Chi Minh to Vung Tau will not be covered
From July 1 to December 31 2026, Ho Chi Minh City will fully subsidize bus fares on 134 intra-city routes, including services operating in the newly merged areas of Binh Duong and Ba Ria–Vung Tau.
The final list includes 134 routes, one fewer than the 135 routes originally proposed to the City People's Council in June. Bus Route 172, which runs from centre Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau, is not covered by the fare-free policy, since the nearly 100-kilometer route passes through Dong Nai Province.
The fare-free bus program will be rolled out in two phases.
- In the first phase (starting from July 1 to September 30), buses travel will be free with no identity verification or registration required.
During this period, the city will focus on encouraging residents to use public buses while completing its passenger database, digital infrastructure and electronic ticketing system.
- In the second phase (starting from October 1 to December 31): The free fare policy will be linked to passenger verification or identification through methods such as national ID cards, the VNeID digital identity app, bank cards, e-wallets and the MultiGo app. Separate guidelines will be issued for seniors, people with disabilities, children, school and university students, visitors and other special groups to ensure convenient access while supporting efficient program administration.
Hanoi: Travel to and from Ring Road 1 will be free
The Hanoi People's Committee has approved a policy to waive fares on regular public bus services operating within Ring Road 1 from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. The fare exemption does not apply to tourist or commercial buses.
Under the policy, free bus travel will apply to passengers whose journeys begin and end within Ring Road 1. Trips that pass through the area without stopping will not be eligible for the fare exemption.
To implement the policy, the city will introduce an electronic ticketing system which can calculate travel distances and automatically apply the fare-free zone.
The city will also waive fares on regular public buses (excluding tourist bus services) and the urban railway network across Hanoi during public holidays, Lunar New Year and major political or social events of national or municipal significance through December 31, 2030.
How to make the most of Vietnam's free bus policies
The fare-free schemes make it easier for both residents and tourists to explore Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City by public transport.
In Ho Chi Minh City, the Sai Gon Bus Station on Pham Ngu Lao Street in Ben Thanh Ward serves as one of the city's main bus hubs. From there, passengers can reach popular destinations including the City Opera House (Route 155), Tan Son Nhat Airport (Route 109), Can Gio (Route 75) and the Cu Chi Tunnels (Route 13).
Meanwhile, in Hanoi, 45 bus routes operate within Ring Road 1. Several of them stop in the Old Quarter and at major attractions in the city centre, including Routes E02, E05, 09A and 09B.
Passenger can plan their journeys using BusMap – a dedicated public transportation app in Hanoi; or Multi Go – Ho Chi Minh City's integrated public transport platform that combines buses, Metro Line 1 and other transport services. The apps also help passengers identify bus-to-metro connections, making it easier to continue their journeys without relying on private vehicles.
Officials hope the fare-free programs will encourage more people to switch from motorbikes and cars to public transport, while strengthening connections between bus networks and urban rail systems as Vietnam expands its public transportation infrastructure.
