HCM City launched a new double-decker bus route serving tourists on January 12. — Photo courtesy of Việt Image Hop On - Hop Off Tourist Co., Ltd

HCM CITY — The new Sightseeing Hop On - Hop Off open-topped double-decker bus tour in HCM City will feature stops at the city’s most popular tourist attractions from 8:30am to 9:30pm every day. 

The route, which was launched on Sunday, is operated by the Việt Image Hop On - Hop Off Tourist Co. Ltd. The bus will leave at its starting point at the Central Post Office in District 1 at 30-minute intervals.

Nguyễn Khoa Luân, managing director of the company, said the new bus provides 63 seats serving both tourists and locals and 22 trips per day.

From the Central Post Office, the bus will pass top sightseeing spots such as the Museum of Vietnamese History, War Remnants Museum, Bạch Đằng Wharf, Sài Gòn Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Bùi Viện Walking Street, Bến Thành Market, Bitexco Financial Tower- Sai Gòn Skydeck, Nguyễn Huệ Pedestrian Street, HCM City Opera House and Independence Palace.

Passengers can get off and on at 11 bus stops along the route.

The bus is equipped with modern technology such as GPS, voice-over and multi-language auto-translation systems capable of introducing tourist attractions.

Free Wi-fi, tourist maps, tour guides, nón lá (conical hat), drinking water and other conveniences are also available to passengers onboard.

Ticket prices for adults are VNĐ200,000(US$8.6) and children aged 6-12 are VNĐ150,000 ($6.5).

A 24-hour ticket costs VNĐ475,000 ($20.5) for adults and VNĐ350,000 ($15) for children aged 6-12, while a 48 hour ticket costs VNĐ650,000 ($28) for adults and VNĐ475,000 for children aged 6-12.

The bus tour is free for children under five years old as well as Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, Heroes of the People's Armed Forces and people with disabilities.

The new bus service is expected to enhance the city’s tourism competitiveness compared to other cities in the region.

Last year, the city welcomed 41.3 million tourists, including more than 8.6 million international tourists.

Its tourism revenue is estimated at VNĐ140 trillion ($6.05 billion) last year, up 10.2 per cent year-on-year. — VNS