Hoi An first day collecting visitor fees

On the morning of May 15, the first day of increased ticket control for the old town, two new ticket booths were set up at bus station 332, Ly Thuong Kiet Street, and Thanh Ha bus station, more than 1 km from the center. At each location, staff from the Hoi An City Center for Culture, Sports and Radio and Television sell tickets and guide groups of tourists off the bus to buy sightseeing tickets.

"From morning to noon, there were no groups of guests. Around 2pm, many groups arrived," said an employee, adding that the counter had just been built a few days ago.

Ticket counter at bus station 332 Ly Thuong Kiet sells tickets to group passengers on the morning of May 15.

To serve tourists, more than 10 electric cars are parked at the station. The fare is set at 10,000 VND per person for distances under 3 km, with a minimum of 5 people per trip. Other passengers traveling from the bus station to destinations near the old town also pay this fare.

On Phan Chau Trinh Street, more than 5 alleys have been installed with signs by the An Minh Ward Civil Defense Force with the following content: Visitors please go to the nearest counter for guidance and service to visit the old town.

Each alley has a guard, when they see tourists entering, they will guide them not to go this way, only locals are allowed to enter. There will be a map, guiding tourists to the ticket booths.

Electric cars are parked at lot 322, Ly Thuong Kiet street to transport tourists to the old town, with a price of 10,000 VND/person, minimum 50,000 VND/car.

Mr. Nguyen Van Lanh, Vice Chairman of Hoi An City, said that with two new ticket counters, there are now a total of 12 ticket counters, helping to strengthen control over visits to the ancient town.

"Compared to before, the number of tour guides, inspectors, and ticket managers has nearly doubled. Because this time the organization is serving tourists attentively and overcoming shortcomings, we need to increase the number of people," he said, adding that this morning the preparations were completed and will be implemented in the afternoon when the group of guests arrive.

Regarding the use of the shuttle bus, which causes tourists to incur a fee, Mr. Lanh said that he had previously worked with travel agencies and they were willing to share. This fee will be included in the cost of the tourists' trip.

A sign instructing tourists not to enter alleys and lanes was installed at the beginning of the alley on Phan Chu Trinh Street, on the morning of May 15.

The plan to strengthen control of tickets to visit the old town focuses on tourists traveling in groups. They are identified as groups of tourists belonging to travel companies, with tour guides and flags, usually traveling in cars with 15 seats or more.

The city will ban 15-seat cars from entering the city center. The cars must park at two stations outside, more than 1 km from the center. When the group gets off, the reception staff will sell tickets there. Then the shuttle bus will take the guests to places near the old town, accompanied by a tour guide. They will be taken to the city via the main road, not through alleys or lanes.

Hoi An, from Monday to Friday, welcomes about 2,000-5,000 visitors per day, nearly 10,000 on weekends, while over 10,000 on holidays. Group visitors account for about 40%. Entrance fee to Hoi An ancient town for international visitors is 120,000 VND and domestic visitors are 80,000 VND, issued in paper tickets.

According to VnExpress