On the morning of April 18, reporters from Lao Dong Newspaper and the working group of Road Traffic Police Team No. 1 (Traffic Police Department, Hanoi City Police) patrolled in the old streets, the Church area, the shore of Hoan Kiem Lake... but could no longer see the shadow of UAZ (U-oat) vehicles operating.
According to a survey conducted on the afternoon of April 18 and this morning (September 19), the reporter did not see any of these vehicles circulating, carrying tourists moving in the main routes of Hanoi.
Talking to reporters of Lao Dong Newspaper, the leader of Traffic Police Team No. 1 said that after checking on April 17, some UAZ vehicles were inspected in accordance with regulations, however, there were still vehicles that violated the law for carrying more people and stopping and parking in the wrong place.
"These violations have been handled by the unit in many cases since 2022. In addition to propaganda, we will handle it as much as possible," said the leader of Traffic Police Team No. 1.
Major Nguyen Manh Hung - Deputy Captain of Traffic Police Team No. 1 - said that recently, the type of passenger transport by UAZ has flourished in Hanoi.
However, this leads to violations of traffic safety order, commonly acts of stopping and parking in violation of regulations, carrying more people than the number of people with the potential risk of traffic congestion and accidents.
The traffic police force has increased patrols, controls, and thorough inspections of vehicles through inspection books and documents related to transportation and tourism business activities. Violations of stopping, parking in violation of regulations and carrying more people will be strictly handled.
Mr. Vu Cong Huy - Chief Inspector of Hanoi Department of Tourism - said that in recent times, the Department and functional units, including the Traffic Police Department of Hanoi City Police, have regularly inspected tourist transportation activities.
For the type of passenger transport by Jeep, UAZ, currently, vehicles have basically been registered to switch to yellow license plates according to regulations.
The driving team is also fully equipped with a driver's license and a practice certificate (equivalent to the Certificate of professional training for drivers in transport business previously issued by the Department of Transport - now the Department of Construction).
Previously, Lao Dong Newspaper reported the situation of many UAZ vehicles operating publicly in Hanoi, despite being many years old and showing signs of not ensuring technical safety.
These include vehicles that have been converted, changed in design, and installed with additional rear seats, often carrying more people than the prescribed number while only allowed to carry a maximum of 5 people.
According to the investigation of Lao Dong Newspaper reporters, among the UAZ vehicles that regularly transport tourists through the central streets of Hanoi, there are many vehicles under the management of Hanoi Backstreet Tours Joint Stock Company (address: 3B Hang Tre Street, Hoan Kiem District).
On April 17, the reporter went to Hanoi Backstreet Tours Joint Stock Company at the above address to book a work schedule.
According to the records, outside 3B Hang Tre there is a sign "Hanoi Backstreet Tours", inside is a recycled coffee shop. When asked if this is the address of Hanoi Backstreet Tours Joint Stock Company, some employees here said they were not sure about this.
contacting the phone number on the website of Hanoi Backstreet Tours Joint Stock Company, the man at the other end of the line said that he is not currently in Hanoi and at this time there are no employees at the company.
