JavaScript is off. Please enable to view full site.

Residents try out bike rental service in downtown Ho Chi Minh City

Residents try out bike rental service in downtown Ho Chi Minh City

Sunday, December 05, 2021, 17:00 GMT+7
Residents try out bike rental service in downtown Ho Chi Minh City
A station of the public bicycle rental service is put into operation on Le Loi Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, December 4, 2021. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre

Residents in Ho Chi Minh City were allowed to experience a public bicycle rental service after one of its stations was put into operation on Saturday.

The station, located on the sidewalk of Le Loi Street in District 1, is among the 43 stations that the municipal authorities have designated to operate the bike sharing service.

Tri Nam Group JSC, developer of the rental system, is now making the final preparations at the remaining 42 stations before a pilot phase begins on December 10, said Do Ba Quan, the firm’s chairman.

These stations, each covering 10-15 square meters, are situated on the sidewalks of multiple streets in District 1 and are close to local bus stops, parks, and popular tourist destinations.

A man helps his grandson use a bicycle of the bike sharing service in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, December 4, 2021. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre

A man helps his grandson use a bicycle of the bike sharing service in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, December 4, 2021. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre

There will be about 10 to 20 bicycles at each station.

The developer previously imported 500 bikes in late October.

The bicycles are equipped with smart locks, GPS systems, 2G, 3G, and 4G networks, Bluetooth, a distinctive plate number, as well as front baskets and headlights.

An attendant helps a man sign up for the service on his smartphone. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre

An attendant helps a man sign up for the service on his smartphone. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre

People are required to install the TNGO app on their smartphone and fill out personal information to use the rental service.

The app allows users to locate the nearest station as well as select the time they would like to rent the bikes.

After paying rental, customers will be provided with a QR code to unlock a bicycle.

The fee is expected to be VND5,000 (US$0.22) per 30 minutes and VND10,000 ($0.44) per hour.

During the first stage of operation, the first 15 minutes will be free of charge.

People are required to install the TNGO app to use the service. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre

People are required to install the TNGO app to use the service. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre

The pilot phase of the public bicycle rental service had been scheduled to begin in April but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This phase is expected to last one year before the developer and local authorities tailor the service to the real demand.

Nguyen Van Thanh, a local resident, believed that the service would offer a good means of transportation for people to travel in downtown areas.

It will help minimize the use of motorbikes, reduce travel cost, and protect the environment, Thanh stated.

Young residents use the bike sharing service in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, December 4, 2021. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre

Young residents try out the bike sharing service in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, December 4, 2021. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre

Young residents use the bike sharing service in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, December 4, 2021. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre

Young residents use the bike sharing service in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, December 4, 2021. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Tuoi Tre News

More

Read more

;

Photos

VIDEOS

‘Taste of Australia’ gala dinner held in Ho Chi Minh City after 2-year hiatus

Taste of Australia Gala Reception has returned to the Park Hyatt Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City's District 1 after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Vietnamese woman gives unconditional love to hundreds of adopted children

Despite her own immense hardship, she has taken in and cared for hundreds of orphans over the past three decades.

Vietnam’s Mekong Delta celebrates spring with ‘hat boi’ performances

The art form is so popular that it attracts people from all ages in the Mekong Delta

Vietnamese youngster travels back in time with clay miniatures

Each work is a scene caught by Dung and kept in his memories through his journeys across Vietnam

Latest news