Crowds of passengers flock to Sai Gon Railway Station on January 16, the 25th day of the last lunar month, as they head back to their hometowns.
Many people arrive at the railway station a few hours before their journey so they have enough time to buy tickets and prepare for a long commute.
This comes following the Sai Gon Railway Station opening tickets for sale via its website, electronic wallets, mobile applications, and at the station or through ticket agents. Therefore, it is convenient for passengers to undergo check-in procedures and then get on board.
Nguyen Thanh Lam and his family are heading back to Quang Binh province and arrive at the station two hours early to avoid traffic congestion and being late for the train.
Lam shares that his family has not returned to their hometown for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the trip being planned for a long time to enable a family reunion.
It is considered the peak travel time during the Tet holiday season as the number of passengers passing through the station increases remarkably compared to previous days.
The price of tickets during Tet increases by 10% to 30% compared to normal days, depending on the distance and travel time of the route.
The number of passengers is forecast to continue to rise sharply over the coming days.
Passengers are required to be present at the railway station within 30 minutes before the trains start, and each person brings no more than 20kg.