The policy does not apply to interprovincial bus routes, open-top sightseeing buses for tourists, airport connection bus services, or buses that pass through other provinces or cities.
Accordingly, Route 172 (Vung Tau bus station – Ba Ria administrative center – Sai Gon bus station) is not included because part of its route passes through Dong Nai City.
The center said the fare-support policy follows the principle of “free but controlled, convenient for users and manageable for authorities” and will be implemented in two phases.
Phase 1 (July 1 – Sept. 30) offers completely free travel for bus users, with no passenger authentication or identification required. It focuses on helping residents adapt to bus use while completing the database, technology infrastructure, and the e-ticketing system.
Phase 2 (Oct. 1 – Dec. 31) will see free fares linked to passenger registration, authentication, or identification through methods such as ID cards, the VNeID app, bank cards, e-wallets, and the MultiGo application.
Specific guidance will be provided for elderly people, those with disabilities, children, students, visitors, and other special groups.
The city also plans to continue upgrading bus stops and shelters during 2026-2027.
Currently, Vietnam’s largest city operates 2,432 buses, including 1,649 electric and green-energy buses, accounting for 67.8% of the fleet.
By the end of 2026, the southern metropolis expects to convert 624 additional buses to electric operation, bringing the share of electric and green-energy vehicles on intra-city routes to 100% by early 2027.
During 2027-2028, interprovincial bus routes using compressed natural gas (CNG) and other fuels are also planned for conversion to electric vehicles, with the goal that all buses operating in the city will be electric by early 2029.
>>List of 134 free bus routes
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