Vietnam &
Cambodia 2015
These
two countries are linked by history, having been part of one empire, also colonised
by the French and ultimately being dragged into war with the Americans. Whilst
Vietnam is developing rapidly, Cambodia remains some fifteen years behind, due primarily
to the brief but brutal rule of the Khmer Rouge.
Vietnam’s
public transport systems are patchy. Where they exist they tend to be very efficient,
but not all major cities have one, and it appears to depend upon the local
politicians’ priorities. Cambodia has a less developed system, instead having a
love affair with the car. However what both countries have is an efficient
express network both nationally and internationally.
Vietnam
has two major bus builders. Thaco began in 2006, with a production line at Chu Lai -Truong Hai. Technology, engine and chassis assembly is obtained from the Hyundai
Group. Saigon
Transportation Mechanical Corporation (SAMCO) is a State-owned enterprise manufacturing and assembling buses and special purpose trucks on bare
chassis imported from Isuzu, Mitsubishi, Mercedes-Benz, Hino, and Daewoo.
Spot the
difference. On the left a Hyundai Aero Express Hi-Class and on the right, one
badged as built by Thaco.
Buses in
Hanoi are operated by Transerco Hanoibus, a consortium of sixteen
companies and can be recognized by the typical
livery with three main colours: white, red and
yellow. Each bus has a number in red, centered in a white circle and made
visible in the front sign of the bus. The price of a bus ticket in Hanoi is
from 5,000 to 10,000 VND dong (there are 32,000 Vietnamese Dong to the £)
depending on the distance. Tickets are handed out by a conductor and you have
to pay in cash.
Above: A Daewoo
operated by Bac Ha as part of the Hanoi network.
There
are more than 30 companies registered in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to operate
public transport with over 2,500 buses on more than 115 routes to all
districts and to nearby provinces Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Tay Ninh and Long An.The
price for a bus ticket fluctuates between 3,000 and 10,000 VND, depending on
the distances and the type of buses.
Three Saigon
buses. top, a Hyundai: middle, unknown and bottom, a
Samco.
Buses might not be as crowded as those in Hanoi, but the
problem is the quality and reliability of the services. Moreover, the
distances between the bus stops are pretty far. The major terminus and
interchange point within the city is close to the Ben Thanh Market.
Between
Hanoi and Saigon stands the city of Nha Trang, a developing seaside resort
popular with Russian fly-n-flop holiday makers. The City has a convenient public bus service with
modern air-conditioned vehicles. There are six main routes, the 1st. departs
from Dien Khanh and ends at Vinh Truong Street; the 2nd route from Dien Khanh,
through Tran Phu and ends at Binh Tan; the 3rd route from the South Bus Station
to the North Bus Station; the 4th route from Duong Hien Quyen Street through
Nguyen Thien Thuat and ends at Cau Da; the 5th route from Tran Phu bridge
through To Hien Thanh and ends at Hon Ro 1; the 6th route from the South Bus
Station to Luong Son Market.
A Samco dual
door bus of Xe-Buyt, the Na Trang local service operator. On route to Van Gia.
Coaches
on ‘closed door’ tours operate with a driver and driver’s assistant who both
appear to live in the underfloor lockers whilst away on tour. Luggage is sent
ahead in a van.
A rare Mercedes Benz
with the crew hanging out their washing in the locker.
Hyundai Universe Xpress in the Nha Trang depot. This is a sleeper coach with two decks of seats
within a single decker coach body. Upper seats are reached by upright metal
ladders. The 'Open Tour' refers to a scheduled express service. Luggage is
often stored on the roof.
Cambodia
In Phnom Penh the municipality ran the
routes until a private firm was contracted. Choice Taxi Company applied for the contract about two years ago, the
company partnered with the municipality to run three bus lines.
The city has 50 buses, 40 recently arrived from South
Korea for the bus lines. Global (Cambodia) Trade Development ran the original
city route which ran along Monivong Boulevard, but the municipality pulled the
firm’s contract, leaving City Hall to run the buses. Fares currently cost passengers 1,500 riel (approx 20p).
With all three routes in place, Phnom Penh has one line
operating from Monivong Boulevard nine Kilometre to Kdev Takuv pagoda, a second from the
roundabout by the French Embassy on Monivong to Kandal province, and a third
from Phnom Penh’s Night Market along the riverside to Dangkor district’s Choam
Chao commune. Not quite what you would expect from a major capital city.
Above: A
Hyundai at the Night Market terminus. Below: Another Hyundai heading for the
centre.
Photographed in
Siem Reap. The operator says it is a Volvo, the body looks like a Ayats copy.
Vietnam Cambodia
Vietnam Cambodia
