The pilot of public vehicle rentals which took effect on May 1 is expected to save more than VNĐ100 million (US$4,404) per month for the State budget. — Photo nld.com.vn Viet Nam News HCM CITY — A HCM City pilot car rental service for Government officials that began on May 1 is expected to save more than VNĐ100 million (US$4,404) per month for the State budget. Lê Thành Khoa, director of the HCM City Voluntary Youth Public Benefit Service Company (BESCO) , said the company had begun receiving public cars and drivers from agencies for rent to State units. Phạm Khánh Phong Lan, head of the HCM City Food Safety Management Board , said the board was ready to rent public vehicles to the agency’s head and deputy heads. The two public cars previously managed by the agency will be handed over to the authorities or auctioned, she said. The rental price is VNĐ11,000 per km (based on the current average price of taxi companies) or VNĐ19.8 million per month per car, … [Read more...] about City pilots rental of public vehicles
Reeds n1 city used cars
Luxury car gifts to be probed
One of two Lexus cars given by a private company to Cà Mau provincial authorities, prompting public concerns and a Government promise to investigate. — Photo dantri.com.vn Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI — The Government will direct authorities to investigate the controversial gifting of luxury cars by private companies to officials in the southern province of Cà Mau and the coastal city of Đà Nẵng. This was promised by Mai Tiến Dũng, head of the Government Office, at the monthly cabinet meeting held recently. The Prime Minister has tasked the Ministry of Finance, Government Inspectorate and Ministry of Justice, to look into the matter. The findings will then be made available to the media. According to media reports, two Lexus GX 460 currently in use by the Cà Mau People’s Committee – each costing about VNĐ3 billion (US$131,000) – were given as presents by Công Lý Ltd last March, ostensibly strictly for use in “inspecting and directing climate change response activities.” … [Read more...] about Luxury car gifts to be probed
Tourist electric cars to run in more provinces
A tourist electric car is seen in Hà Nội City. The car will part of a pilot project in Quảng Nam and Kiên Giang provinces. — Photo vnexpress.net Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI — The Prime Minister has agreed to a pilot project to run electric cars to serve tourists in two more provinces. Under the programme, the electric cars will be introduced to serve tourists in Hội An City in central Quảng Nam Province and in southern Kiên Giang Province’s Phú Quốc District. The two provinces will be responsible for implementation of the project in the area and to ensure traffic safety. After six months of trial operations, the provincial authorities will report the results of the project to the government for effective implementation in the next round. The Transport Ministry has also asked the locals to assess the utility of electric cars and to recommend solutions to the government this month. The ministry said the pilot model of tourist electric cars had earlier been … [Read more...] about Tourist electric cars to run in more provinces
Elevator parking in city difficult to implement: experts
A parking zone in Lê Lai Street in HCM City’s District 1. Finding a parking space is a serious problem for car drivers in the city.—VNS Photo Lê Anh Vũ Viet Nam News HCM CITY – High investment costs and low parking fees have made investors less interested in building automated car parking lots in HCM City, experts said at a workshop held on Friday. To cope with the problems of increasing automobiles and an overloaded car parking system, since 2006, the Ministry of Science and Technology has instructed Nippon Mechanics and Crane Co, Ltd (NMC) to undertake the project of designing and building elevators or automated parking systems in the country. The system has a lifting device and storage spaces inside to store vehicles efficiently and its capacity is 2-20 times higher than a traditional parking lot if they are built on the same area of land. Due to the lack of car parking spaces, many car drivers park on roadsides or drive around to find a place to park their vehicles, … [Read more...] about Elevator parking in city difficult to implement: experts
Management agencies must be taken responsibility of illegal car parking lots
Illegal car parking spot in Mạc Thái Tông Street of Cầu Giấy District. — Photo vietbao.vn Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI — There are more and more illegal parking spots for cars and motorbikes in the inner city of Hà Nội, reported the Kinh Tế và Đô Thị (Economy & Urban). The illegal car parking spaces are located on empty land of awaiting construction areas, desserted argicultural land areas and in sidewalks, streets and residential areas. Notably, the illegal parking spots have been blatantly existing despite many fines being dished out. According to urban management experts, one of the main reasons for the problem was weak managament of authorised agencies. A case of car parking space in Mạc Thái Tông Street of Cầu Giấy District was one example. The district’s transport inspection told the paper that since earlier this year, the car parking spot was fined twice but it has been still illegally used. Another spot in Trần Hưng Đạo Street, Hoàn Kiếm District has been … [Read more...] about Management agencies must be taken responsibility of illegal car parking lots
Ancient city eyes on safe and ‘green’ traffic
A pedestrian street in Hội An city. The ancient city plans to curb traffic noise from engine vehicle and over horning in creating more ’green’ and clean space for tourists. — VNS Photo Công Thành Viet Nam News HỘI AN — Hội An plans to curb noise from motorbike and car horns and to encourage modes of transport without engines to create a peaceful environment for tourists visiting the city. Director of Hội An City’s Culture and Sports Centre, Võ Phùng told the Việt Nam News that the plan aims to restore tranquility of the UNESCO-recognised world heritage site. Phùng said the city will raise awareness of gentle manners, hospitality and environment protection to make the city a safe and ‘clean’ destination. “We have called for less ‘horning’ and reduced speed among motorbike, car and bus drivers in Hội An. Local residents are encouraged not to use plastic bags or single-use straws and cups, not to litter or encroach on public sidewalks for shopping,” Phùng said. “The city … [Read more...] about Ancient city eyes on safe and ‘green’ traffic
Hà Nội to switch major bus stations into car parks by 2020
Hà Nội’s Department of Transport has planned to switch four major bus stations in the inner city, including Gia Lâm, Mỹ Đình, GIáp Bát and Nước Ngầm, into car parks and inner-city bus interchanges by 2020.– VNA/VNS Photo Việt Hùng HÀ NỘI – Hà Nội’s Department of Transport has planned to switch four major bus stations in the inner city, including Gia Lâm, Mỹ Đình, GIáp Bát and Nước Ngầm, into car parks and inner-city bus interchanges by 2020. This is part of the department’s draft plan to improve parking lots, bus stations and bus interchanges by 2030 with a view to 2050. Plans have been submitted to the municipal People’s Committee for approval. Under the draft, the four bus stations would still be places to pick up and drop off passengers but they would be gradually transformed into parking lots. Gia Lâm and Giáp Bát bus stations are the first to be completed in 2020 with Mỹ Đình and Nước Ngầm following five years later. The department also said the city would complete … [Read more...] about Hà Nội to switch major bus stations into car parks by 2020
Hội An set to become a bicycle city
An old street in Hội An is reserved as a non-engine vehicle zone. The city plans to develop more spaces for pedestrians and bicycles. — VNS Photo Công Thành Viet Nam News HỘI AN — The ancient city has developed a master plan to boost the mass use of bicycles among community members and tourists, as part of efforts to make Hội An a capital of eco-friendly tourism in Việt Nam. Architect Đinh Đang Hải from HeathBridge Việt Nam said at a workshop on the development of a comprehensive bicycle plan in Hội An on Wednesday that more than 100 parks, communal gardens and neighbourhood sites have been built to create favourable conditions for pedestrians and cyclists. The workshop, a prelude to the "Establishing a Comprehensive Bicycle Plan and Free/low-cost Bicycle Sharing Programme in Hội An City" project, was held in co-operation with HeathBridge Việt Nam and the city with funding from the German development agency (GIZ). The project won the Global Urban Mobility Challenge Award … [Read more...] about Hội An set to become a bicycle city
Car owners asked to obtain new bank accounts
Police inspects a truck driving on the National Highway No.1A. - VNS Photo Đoàn Tùng Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI – Hà Nội officials want to make it compulsory to open a new bank account to register a car. The municipal People’s Committee recently proposed a draft regulation on the issue to the Ministry of Security. However, its feasibility has come under question. Explaining the regulation, city authorities said that these bank accounts will be used to fine car owners for traffic tickets. Hoàng Hà of Đại Nam Law Firm in Hà Nội told Vietnam News Agency that at present, there were no regulations asking a citizen to open a new bank account when buying and registering a car. Car purchases, according to him, are a civil transaction between sellers and buyers. Moreover, cars can be traded immediately after being purchased. Agreeing, Đinh Thị Hoà of DTH Law Firm, called the draft regulation unreasonable and unfeasible. Opening a bank account is a right, not a responsibility of … [Read more...] about Car owners asked to obtain new bank accounts
Hà Nội rejects cable car across Hồng River
A cable car system was proposed to span the Hồng (Red) River in the capital city. — Photo vietnamfinance.vn Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI — The Hà Nội Department of Transport has rejected a proposal to build a five-kilometre cable system across the Hồng (Red) River to serve public transport needs. The plan was put forward by the Poma Group. Ngô Mạnh Tuấn, deputy director of the Hà Nội Department of Transport, said that the department reported the proposal to the municipal people’s committee. The department said that the proposal was not suitable with present conditions in the city. Specifically, the scheme to develop the capital city’s transport system by 2030, which was approved by Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, did not mention any public means of transport like a cable car as proposed by the group. Earlier, the Poma Group, a French company which manufactures cable-driven lift systems, suggested setting up a cable car system starting at the Long Biên bus terminal on … [Read more...] about Hà Nội rejects cable car across Hồng River