Dalat train station ticket price increase, only a small part of tourists affected?

The Saigon Railway Exploitation Branch of Vietnam Railway Corporation - the unit managing and exploiting Da Lat station, has information about adjusting ticket prices to visit the tourist destination "Da Lat Railway Station" compared to the previous announcement on September 9.

Da Lat Station is recognized as a tourist destination from June 21, 2024.

Accordingly, the ticket price applied from October 1 is still 50,000 VND/person/trip. Those who are exempt from the ticket fee include those who have a ticket for the Da Lat - Trai Mat train route; children under 11 years old and under 1.35 m tall; people 80 years old and over; people with severe disabilities as prescribed in Clause 1, Article 3 of Decree No. 28/2012/ND-CP.

Subjects eligible for a 50% discount on ticket prices include Da Lat residents (identified by ID card or CCCD, birth certificate), people from 65 to under 80 years old; people with severe disabilities as prescribed in Clause 2, Article 3 of Decree No. 28/2012/ND-CP; cadres, civil servants, public employees, soldiers, and workers at agencies and units in Da Lat City.

For group tickets, 30% discount for groups of 20 to 49 people and 45% discount for groups of 50 people or more.

According to the Saigon Railway Exploitation Branch, through data analysis up to August 2024, the number of tourists visiting Da Lat station and then taking the Da Lat - Trai Mat tourist train accounts for 65% -70% of the total number of visitors.

After applying the new ticket price and discount policy, the number of tourists not affected is 70%-75%; the number of tourists not exempted from discount and having to buy tickets at 50,000 VND/trip is only 20%-25%.

As for travel agencies with a large number of customers traveling on tours, the management unit assessed that these were customers who came to the station to visit and take the train, so they were exempted from the entrance fee; the rest who did not take the train were given a 45% discount on the new ticket price.

Tourists experience the night train journey at Da Lat station.

This unit believes that for many years, Da Lat station has operated under the mechanism of a 100% state-owned transport enterprise, and its revenue does not meet the maintenance and preservation of infrastructure.

Recently, the railway industry has invested in upgrading many items at this historical site and will continue to invest, especially in creating a master plan for the Da Lat station relic site to submit to competent authorities for approval to invest in many other items.

Therefore, the current fare of 5,000 VND/person/trip is very low, not ensuring revenue for the operation, exploitation and reinvestment of Da Lat station. In addition, the new fare of 50,000 VND/trip has been approved by the Lam Dong Provincial Department of Finance in accordance with the law.

Previously, on September 9, the management unit of Da Lat station announced that from October 1, the ticket price will be 50,000 VND/person/trip for adults (over 6 years old), free tickets for children under 6 years old (under 1.32 m tall) and people with severe disabilities according to Government regulations.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/tang-gia-ve-ga-da-lat-chi-phan-nho-du-khach-chiu-anh-huong-196240918104045664.htm