HCM CITY — Automobile rentals have doubled in price in the run-up to Tết (Lunar New Year), which begins in late January.

In Hà Nội, most car rental agencies said they would rent cars for a minimum of seven to 10 days during the holiday at VNĐ12 million (US$532), double the price on ordinary days.

Daily costs of car rentals will be at least VNĐ1 million ($44.32), depending on the kind of car, a rise of 30-50 per cent compared to other days.

In Hà Nội, a Hyundai i10 car (2014-2015 model) will cost VNĐ12 million for seven days beginning on January 26, the first day off for Tết for government employees.

Customers must deposit VNĐ5 million and the rest will be paid upon returning the car.

Other car rental packages for Tết for seven days include rentals of Vios at VNĐ14 million ($620.59), Camry VNĐ17 million ($753.57), Hyundai Santa Fe VNĐ20 million ($886.56), Toyota at VNĐ15-17 million and Fortuna at VNĐ15-20 million.   

Luxury car models for rent such as Mercedes C250 cost VNĐ1.7-1.8 million per day.

Most car rental agencies in Hà Nội said they could meet only 20 per cent of the demand.

Car rentals with a driver will cost an additional VNĐ600,000-700,000 per day compared with VNĐ400,000 on normal days.

Customers will have to negotiate the schedule and surcharge with the driver in case the trip exceeds the number of daily kilometres regulated by the car rental agency.

Car rentals that include a driver are more expensive, but if there are damages, the customer will not be responsible.

In HCM City, car rental activities have also become busier.

A representative of a car rental agency in Tân Bình District said the number of customers renting a car had increased since the beginning of the new year.

“The agency has nearly 50 cars from four-seat cars to nine-seat cars for rent. More than 80 per cent of customers have booked to rent,” he said.

Vũ Ngọc Thiệu, 48, of Gò Vấp District, who signed a contract to rent an Innova for 10 days, said although he was able to afford to buy a four-seat car, he preferred to rent.

“The streets are narrow and have become too crowded. My family only needs to use a car during the holidays. I decided to rent one, so I don’t have to worry about parking at my house,” he said.

Car rental prices have doubled in HCM City.

For example, Kia Morning (2010-2013 model) rental is now VNĐ1 million a day, up from VNĐ500,000 on normal days, the cheapest price of car rentals.

Rental prices for other cars such as Innova and Fortune (2010-2013) are VNĐ1.8-2 million. The rental price for a Kia Sorento is from VNĐ2.4 million.  

According to a car rental agency in HCM City, due to high demand during the holidays, customers are advised to book early so they can choose their desired car.

“On average, we receive 20 phone calls to rent a car every day. Many customers have completed their bookings,” he said.  

Unlike Hà Nội, in HCM City, customers will have to pay 100 per cent of the contract upon signing the contract and the minimum time for rent must be 10 days.

He also advised customers to check the status and condition of the car before accepting it. The procedure is to submit a family passbook and a motorbike for deposit and its registration certificate. 

Most visitors in the city rent a car to travel to Vũng Tàu, a coastal city in the southeastern region, Nha Trang in Khánh Hòa Province, and Đà Lạt, a resort city in the Central Highlands region.

Tết is Việt Nam’s most important traditional celebration, which honours family reunions and recreation.

During the period, some families travel, while others decide to visit pagodas or return to their hometowns, expressing best wishes to each other and showing gratitude to their ancestors. — VNS