HCM City launches new double decker bus route from the city's downtown to Chinatown, District 5. Photo: vov.vn

HCM CITY = A new double decker bus has begun providing tours to HCM City's Districts 5 and 6, known as the city's Chinatown, this week.

The hop-on, hop-off bus service will run every 30 minutes, providing 30 trips from 8am to 10:30pm every day.

The route is a 20km journey, spanning a total of two hours, allowing passengers to board and deboard at any stop along the way. The buses travel from the Saigon bus station, through downtown District 1 and Chinatown's Districts 5 and 6.

Nguyễn Khoa Luân, director of Ảnh Việt Hop-on Hop-off Việt Nam Company, said tourists can explore the lively vibe of the city's Chinatown, a vibrant hub of local Chinese culture and commerce.

Historic architectural spots along the tour include Ông Pagoda - Nghĩa An Assembly Hall, Tuệ Thành Assembly Hall, Thiên Hậu Pagoda, Minh Hương Communal House, Chợ Lớn Mosque, and the iconic rows of old Chinese shophouses on Hải Thượng Lãn Ông Street.

Tickets for the bus ride services can be booked online, or at tourist agencies and bus stations, with prices ranging from VNĐ200,000 (US$7.86) per person.

Currently, there are two pilot units operating two routes of double-decker open-top buses for tourist transportation.

Specifically, Ảnh Việt Hop On - Hop Off Việt Nam Company operates route DL01, which has been in service since January 2020.

The route is 12.7km long, with buses running from 9am to 11pm daily. As of the end of the first quarter of 2024, route DL01 has served 191,681 passengers.

Meanwhile, the Việt Nam - Hà Nội Tourism Company has operated route DL02 since August 2022.

The route is 13.8km long, with operation hours from 9am to 5:30pm daily. VNS