Considering the results from last year report by Yale University about environmental performances where Vietnam ranked in the top 10 worst air polluters in the World (Environment Performance Index), we wanted to address this topic and shine the light on the perceived sources of pollution and remedies as perceived by the citizens of the two Vietnamese megalopolis.

May 2019 – Hotspot survey results

As expected, the urban population is very conscious of the problem coming from the increasing number of vehicles. Smog coming factories and from works under construction complete the podium among the perceived top 3 sources of pollution.

As for their recommendation, 67% of respondents insists on planting more trees as well as ceasing the cutting of trees in the cities (48%).

Moreover, 49% of them consider there is a lack of education on this matter and there should be more awareness on the problem of pollution.

Finally, the last two main recommendations are to use either non-smog transportation modes such as bicycles (45%) or to use public transportation such as buses or the “soon” to be completed metros. Indeed, among the urban population of the two key cities, only 26% in Hanoi and 13% in Ho Chi Minh City uses public transportation (past 3 months) so the potential to increase its usage is important.

Interestingly, the awareness on both metro project only reach about half of its city population. Furthermore, most are concerned about the multiple delays for both project with 75% of Ho Chi Minh City residents and 41% of their Hanoi counterparts considering they would have to wait for another 24 months (until 2021) before they can benefit from it.

Refer to our urban transportation study results for more information

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After years of announcements, metro projects in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are said to be completed soon…

In our May 2019 Hot Spot Survey, we asked the opinion of the Vietnamese population, on awareness, expectations and intentions to use the new public commuting metro system and results are presented below.

Awareness

Overall, only 56% are currently aware of the metro project construction, more in Hanoi (60%) than in Ho Chi Minh City, mostly due to higher awareness among females in Hanoi. Generally a greater proportion of male respondents are aware of the projects with 64% against 49% for our female respondents.

How long before they can use it ?

There are various opinion about WHEN the metro will be in operations with a general perception that Hanoian will get to ride before Saigonese with 34% expecting the green cars to be opened in the next 6 months, or before end of 2019 versus only 5% in Ho Chi Minh city. The majority of Saigonese (51%) aware of the project expect they would have to wait at least another 2 years before being able to enjoy the new metro system.

Intention to use

For those who told us they do not intend to use it regularly, they mentioned the following barriers to be considered :

• The first mentioned barrier is “the distance between their home and the metro station (43%). We can indeed imagine this will be a decisive feature on the use of their own motorbike instead of the subway to avoid traveling by foot in the hot/rainy weather.
• People also prefer having the freedom to ride their own vehicle (41%)
• The third main reason is the perceived lack of stations that suit people’s needs mainly between home and work. (36%)

Main expectations

Linked with our study on pollution in Vietnam, citizens expect the subway to consequently be able to reduce smog in the cities due to the containment or decreased use of individual transportation. 

They also hope for a considerable gain of time for long distance traveling across the city.

Finally, our respondents wish to travel safely, in a clean, secured environment for ran affordable price.

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Buses, subways, trams are all public transport that are already popular in many countries around the world. 
Although Vietnam currently has only buses in operation, urban railways in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are being rushed to be ready to serve the population.

While waiting for the railway to be put into use, let’s learn about the habits of Vietnamese and their use of already available public transportation through our recent Hot Spots results.

Among our respondents, 20% told us they used public transportation in the past 3 months.

The population in Hanoi is more likely to use it twice as much compared to their HCM’s counterpart. 

From these 20% of public transport users, 58% are satisfied with their experience, 37% stand neutral and only 5% is dissatisfied. 

We then took a look at the reasons that could restrain them from using public transportation and the most common answer is their lack of familiarity with them, most likely due to their traditional preference of privileging personal modes of transportation such as their motorbikes or cars (51%). 

35% of them consider there is also a lack of bus stops which are not covering the areas where most of the people live. Moreover, the poor conditions of the vehicle (considered too old and uncomfortable) and the careless driving make up 38% of the answers. Finally, 15% of the respondents said the dangerous encounters and the unsafety (kidnapping, pickpocketing) is also a big issue, restraining them from using public transportation. 

Our last part about the recommendations, both users and non-users have, is most likely answering to our previous part, although we noticed that the irresponsible driving of bus drivers is a huge problem in Ho Chi Minh City, with almost half of its population asking for improvements in this area. In Hanoi, respondents are asking for more seats as well as a modernisation of the equipment inside the bus. 

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