According to Lao Dong's records, at about 4 pm, at the gate area, vehicles entered and exited continuously, mainly motorbikes and private cars taking relatives to the station. Inside the waiting hall, the rows of seats were full, many passengers had to wait or sit temporarily on their luggage.
At the ticket sales area and check-in counters, passengers lined up waiting for their turn. Some routes to the Mekong Delta provinces recorded a high increase in passenger volume compared to normal days.
Notably, the Phuong Trang bus station area is much more crowded because this is a unit operating many routes to the Mekong Delta provinces. Passengers gather in front of the ticket counter and the waiting area for boarding, creating a scene of crowded walkways.
Staff continuously broadcast announcements, guide passengers to move to the correct location, check tickets and arrange luggage to avoid congestion.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong (from Ca Mau) said that she takes advantage of going to the station from early afternoon to avoid traffic jams: "Every year near Tet is so crowded. Tired but thinking about going home soon, meeting family is already happy.
Mr. Tran Van Hau (from Can Tho) also asked to quit his job early to catch the bus home: "Knowing it would be crowded today, I went to the station from the beginning of the afternoon. Waiting a bit long, but as long as I get home tonight, that's enough. It takes a whole year to have the opportunity to reunite fully".
Not only adults, many families with young children and the elderly are also busy carrying bulky luggage, Tet gifts and specialties bought in the city to return to their hometowns. Bus station staff continuously guide and divert passengers, while passenger cars enter and exit continuously to relieve the waiting crowd.
It is forecasted that in the next one to two days, the number of passengers to Mien Tay Bus Station will continue to be at a high level as many workers complete their work to return to their hometowns for the Lunar New Year holiday.
