The new payment system will be applied across 30 bus routes with more than 600 vehicles operated by Viet Thang Inter-provincial Transport and Tourism Cooperative; Bao Yen Tourism, Service and Construction Co., Ltd.; City Transport JSC (Citranco); Saigon Passenger Transport JSC (Saigonbus); and Transport 26 JSC.
Passengers can use NAPAS contactless cards (domestic ATM cards) issued by 28 banks to tap and pay directly on card readers installed on buses. Other payment methods include tapping with smartphones or smartwatches integrated with NAPAS digital cards, which some banks are already rolling out.
Using NAPAS cards for bus travel helps passengers save time, eliminating the need to top up a separate card or use cash to buy paper tickets. This makes boarding and alighting faster, reduces queues, and encourages cashless transactions in line with modern consumer trends.
This initiative follows the successful introduction of the automatic ticketing system on Metro Line No. 1 (Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien), launched earlier this year.
Ho Chi Minh City is regarded as a pioneer in adopting a range of modern e-payment methods for its public transport network, thereby promoting green transport, easing the burden of private traffic, and moving towards a smart city.
Nguyen Dang Hung, Deputy General Director of NAPAS, said: “With more than 80 million NAPAS contactless cards currently in circulation, the rollout of this payment method on Ho Chi Minh City buses enables passengers to simply tap and ride, without queuing for tickets or using cash, thereby ensuring faster, safer, and more convenient travel.”
According to Le Hoan, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Public Transport Management Centre: “The cashless payment system has already been implemented on 96 bus routes with 1,456 vehicles.
Stakeholders have worked closely together to complete the payment equipment to meet technical standards. Contactless payment will enhance the passenger experience, encourage the use of public transport, reduce private vehicle traffic, and contribute to a sustainable transport system.”
