Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to offer free bus rides from July 2026

From 1 July 2026, Hanoi will provide free bus tickets for a year to passengers whose journeys start within the city’s inner ring road. The exemption applies to the entire public‑bus system except tourist lines, covering about 45 routes and supporting the city’s plan to shift to electric or CNG buses and cut traffic congestion and air pollution.

Ho Chi Minh City also proposes a free‑bus programme for the same period, covering all inter‑district routes from 1 July to 31 December 2026. The first three months will be free without passenger identification; from October onward, riders must use electronic tickets or e‑payment methods. The city earmarks roughly 665 trillion VND for the scheme, aiming to encourage public‑transport use, reduce vehicle emissions, and accelerate the conversion of its bus fleet to green energy.