Society

HCM City offers free smart bus cards for elderly

Ho Chi Minh City has presented nearly 100 free smart bus cards for people aged 70 or over, and social policy beneficiaries, including wounded and sick soldiers.
HCM City offers free smart bus cards for elderly ảnh 1At the event (Photo: baogiaothong.vn)
HCM City (VNS/VNA) – Ho Chi Minh City has presentednearly 100 free smart bus cards for people aged 70 or over, and social policybeneficiaries, including wounded and sick soldiers.

On September 18, the city’s Public Transport Management Centreoffered free bus cards to the elderly and other priority populationsin Thu Duc city.

The city’s smart ticket system, named UniPass, started its trialphase in 2019, carried out by the centre, Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bankfor Industry and Trade (VietinBank) and Zion JSC.

It allows bus passengers to pay for their ride in two methods,either swiping their near-field communication (NFC) cards on the bus totransfer money from their UniPass account or using their smartphones toscan a QR code that provides them with payment details.

Ha Le An, deputy director of the centre, said this offer aimed toattract more users to public transport, reduce congestion and trafficaccidents, and protect the environment.

Elderly who have not yet registered to receive a free bus cardcould show their ID card for free travel on any public bus, he said.

Doan Van Quy, 79, who was given free bus cards, said it was notconvenient for the elderly like him to travel by private vehicles, with trafficjams at peak hours.

Therefore, the policy of offering free bus cards for the elderlywas reasonable, encouraging people to use public transport in the city, hesaid.

Nguyen Van Hung, 74, said he was very happy to get a free bus cardbecause he often rides public buses.

“The bus staff is quite friendly and they always serve me likethose who have to pay for bus tickets,” he said.

Dao Van Huong, 70, who regularly travels on bus route No. 141,said she agreed with the policy of offering free bus travel to older people.

“It is really good for us, especially people in difficultcircumstances,” she said.

An said the centre would continue to implement many policiesand plans to attract people to use public buses.

The centre would promote the application of technology tobetter serve passengers, including the Go! Bus app for mobiledevices.

The app would help people easily find the nearest bus stop,update information on bus routes and bus arrival times, saving time andmoney, he said./.
VNA
#Public Transport Management Centre #Vietnamplus #Vietnam News Agency #UniPass #near-field communication #free bus cards Ho Chi Minh City
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

Hanoi, HCM City resume bus services

Hanoi, HCM City resume bus services

All bus routes in Hanoi have resumed operation from May 4, but each bus must not have more than 30 people on board, including passengers, drivers and conductors, according to the city's Department of Transport.

See more

Poor patients under treatment at the Ninh Thuan General Hospital receive meals from the "Hieu va Thuong" charity kitchen. (Photo: VNA)

Charity kitchen lends a hand to feed needy patients

For nearly two decades, the charity kitchen “Hieu va Thuong” (Understanding and Compassion) at the Ninh Thuan General Hospital, Khanh Hoa province, has kept its fires burning daily, providing free meals for poor patients and their relatives.

A working delegation from the Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security pays a visit to Bratislava from March 9–12. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Slovakia boost cooperation in firefighting and rescue

During the visit, the delegation led by Deputy Director of the department Colonel Hoang Ngoc Huynh worked with several Slovak institutions, including the command of the Fire and Rescue Force in Bratislava, an automobile installation and repair centre under the Ministry of Interior of Slovakia, and the Lest military training centre.

A transport infrastructure project in Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City steps up actions to unlock private sector growth

Ho Chi Minh City’s authorities and businesses operating in the southern metropolis have stepped up strategic orientations and concrete action programmes to translate Resolution No.68-NQ-TW of the Politburo into practice and create conditions for the private sector to make breakthroughs and become a key growth driver.

Swiss Ambassador to Vietnam Thomas Gass (Photo: VNA)

Swiss ambassador hails Vietnam's 2026 election as milestone

The March 15 election is expected to be an important milestone for Vietnam. It is not only a constitutional exercise but also a means of ensuring that policies adopted at both national and local levels are enforced with a strong focus on citizens’ interests, said Swiss Ambassador to Vietnam Thomas Gass.

President of the Vietnamese Association in Mexico Nguyen Huu Dong (Photo: VNA)

Mexico-based scholar unveils ideas to optimise Vietnamese NA’s efficiency

Talking with Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Mexico City, Dong pointed to important strides in the NA’s outgoing tenure, including improvements to the institutional framework, operating methods and stronger oversight of major national issues. In his view, the NA has increasingly asserted its role as the highest representative body of the people and a central pillar in the process of building a socialist rule-of-law state.

The Cai Mep Ha free trade zone in Ho Chi Minh City currently has four seaports and four inland waterway ports in operation (Photo: VNA)

Strategic infrastructure – key driver for Ho Chi Minh City’s economic growth

Rapid population growth and urban expansion have exposed limitations in Ho Chi Minh City’s infrastructure, particularly traffic congestion at key gateways and in central areas. In response, the city is steeping up investment in major projects to improve connectivity, expand urban space and remove development bottlenecks.

Illustrative image: Authorities strengthen control at the Dinh Ba International Border Gate to prevent illegal entry and exit. (Photo: VNA)

Authorities warn against hiring foreign workers violating immigration rules

Investigations revealed that several foreign nationals had been sponsored by two companies headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City to apply for temporary residence cards under the category of investors. However, the individuals were not genuine investors but had completed procedures through intermediaries in order to remain in Vietnam.

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi promotes family values to mark International Day of Happiness

The activities will take place from March 15 to 21, with the peak on March 20. The highlight will be a launch ceremony for the 2026 International Day of Happiness, calling on authorities at all levels, organisations and the community to join hands in building safe, equal and progressive family environments, while promoting love, sharing and responsibility among family members.

Delegates and students pose for a commemorative photo. (Photo: baocantho.com.vn)

Four more Can Tho schools earn French education accreditation

The recognition of six schools under the Label FrancEducation programme is expected to create momentum for expanding education cooperation between French and Can Tho institutions, contributing to human resources development and friendship between the two countries.