Ho Chi Minh City rewards frequent bus commuters with premium smartphones

The two students earned their devices through a promotional campaign that tracked ridership patterns on Ho Chi Minh City's public bus network. The competition ran through the first half of October, with authorities monitoring passenger activity to identify the most frequent commuters.

Each iPhone 17 prize carries an estimated value of around VND28 million, equivalent to approximately US$1,090. The awards represent a significant incentive program aimed at boosting ridership on the city's bus system while promoting environmentally conscious transportation choices among younger residents.

Public transportation officials in Ho Chi Minh City have utilized similar promotional strategies in recent years to increase commuter engagement and foster behavioral change toward mass transit use. Such initiatives typically combine reward mechanisms with broader sustainability messaging to appeal to younger demographics.

The campaign reflects growing efforts across major Southeast Asian cities to address urban congestion and emissions through increased adoption of public transportation services. Ho Chi Minh City, as one of the region's largest metropolitan areas, has placed particular emphasis on incentivizing bus travel among students and working professionals.