When Ho Chi Minh City proposed free bus rides for everyone, many people reacted with caution. "It sounds great, but is it realistic?" they asked. I believe the value of the proposal lies not in the word "free" but in the willingness to change how we think. For years, we have added roads, increased trips, and invested in vehicles. However, we have not done enough to make people leave their private vehicles behind.

When I heard about the plan, I thought: If the system is convenient, well-connected, and reliable, giving up a motorbike is not far-fetched. It could become a natural choice. I can picture myself commuting by bus, my child going to school by bus, and short trips around the city no longer requiring a private vehicle.

Anyone who has lived in a big city long enough understands this, though few say it out loud. For years, buses in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have occupied an awkward middle ground. They are not bad enough for people to reject outright, but not good enough for people to choose them willingly. They often serve as a backup plan, something you consider only when no better option is available.

Three public buses (L) move amid heavy traffic in Ho Chi Minh City, August 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Dinh Van

To be honest, the 27-cent fare has never been the issue. What I, and many others, want is a more comfortable way to travel. We want to avoid the pressure of navigating dense traffic, the hassle of finding parking, and the fatigue that sets in before the workday even begins.

If buses truly become a comfortable option, I would gladly take them with my child every day. And not just because of the small fare. I would do it for the peace of mind. No crowding, no stress in traffic, and the sense that I am doing a small part to make the city less suffocating.

Many cities around the world have taken this path. They do not see subsidies or free public transport as a costly burden. They see it as a necessary investment to gain something far more valuable: a livable city. A place where people do not have to trade their health, time, and peace of mind just to travel a few kilometers.

Looking at Hanoi, the question is no longer whether free bus rides should happen. The real question is when to start. The streets already make the case. Traffic keeps getting denser, the air more stifling, while infrastructure has reached its limits. If we keep going the same way, we only prolong a system already under strain.

From Ho Chi Minh City’s proposal, I hope Hanoi and other major cities will take a serious look. They do not need a giant leap right away, but they need a decision bold enough to begin. Sometimes the hardest part is not money or technology. It is the courage to change how we think. Once we start in the right direction, the rest comes down to time and trust.