Starting October 1, 2024, Da Lat Railway Station (Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province) will officially increase entrance ticket prices tenfold compared to the current rates.
The Saigon Railway Exploitation Branch, which manages and operates Da Lat Station, has officially announced the increase to organizations, individuals, and tourists regarding the new entrance fees to Da Lat – Trai Mat Station.
Da Lat train station seen from above
From midnight on October 1, Da Lat Station will raise the entrance fee to 50,000 VND per person per visit for adults (aged 6 and above), a tenfold increase from the current price of 5,000 VND. Entrance will be free for children under 6 years old (with a height below 1.32 meters) and for individuals with severe disabilities, as per government regulations.
Notably, the ticket price only covers entry for sightseeing, entertainment, and the use of some free services within the Da Lat Station architectural heritage site. It does not include the tourist train service between Da Lat and Trai Mat.
From October 1, Da Lat station increased entrance ticket price by 10 times.
According to the Saigon Railway Exploitation Branch, the price increase is aimed at mobilizing resources and supplementing the budget to maintain, repair, and restore the station to align with its status as a national architectural heritage site, improving the image of the tourism station, and adding more amenities for visitors. The unit has registered and declared the new entrance fees with the Lam Dong Provincial Department of Finance, which approved the price hike starting October 1, 2024.
Da Lat Railway Station is one of Da Lat City’s unique historical architectural landmarks, built in the 1930s and recognized as a national historical site in 2001. It has become a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists visiting Da Lat.
On June 21, 2024, the Lam Dong Provincial People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1061/QD-UBND recognizing Da Lat Railway Station as a tourist attraction. The station currently operates a round-trip train route from Da Lat to Trai Mat Station, a 7-kilometer journey serving tourists.
Old steam locomotive
This significant price increase has surprised and upset many tourism businesses, as they believe the station has not invested in any new attractions, despite its long-standing status as a national heritage site.
Dinh Van Don, Director of Happy Day – Happy Day Travel (Da Lat City), openly expressed his astonishment: “It’s the first time I’ve seen a tourist attraction raise entrance fees tenfold with less than a month’s notice. This sudden change will increase the costs for tour groups, not only for entrance tickets but also for the newly launched night train tours.”
Tuong Huu Loc, Vice President of the Lam Dong Tourism Association, added: “The tenfold increase at Da Lat Station is highly problematic, as there was no prior planning, leading to negative reactions from many tourists and partners. Travel agencies typically sell tours well in advance, at least 2 to 3 months or even a year ahead. Now, with the added costs, they cannot charge more from the customers. Such a sharp increase makes visitors feel overwhelmed, especially when Da Lat Station has yet to explain how they plan to improve services, maintenance, etc.”
On September 11, Lam Dong’s Department of Finance stated in an interview with Thanh Nien that, according to regulations, businesses have the autonomy to set prices and must declare and inform financial authorities. The department cannot interfere with how much or how little prices are raised. Da Lat Station had already filed a declaration regarding the price increase.
@Thanhnien.vn
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Source: Vietnam Insider