Ways to save money when gas prices skyrocket

Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Hanh My (32 years old, currently a teacher at Van Lang University, Ho Chi Minh City) said that every day she has to walk 10km to go to school. So, I’m thinking of changing means of transportation.

“I moved from Go Vap district to Binh Thanh, before I went to fill a 100,000 VND gas tank for about 6 days, now I poured 100,000 VND for only 4 days. The fact that the price of gasoline exceeded 31,500 VND/liter made me think about switching to work by bus…”, My sister shared.

According to Ms. My, going to work by bus will save some gas money, but in return, you have to wait and do not take the initiative.

And Ms. Ngo Thi Hong Hanh, who is working in Hanoi, has switched to work by sky train.

Ms. Hanh said that the reason for moving to work was because of rising gas prices, plus Hanoi’s constant traffic jams during rush hour, so from mid-May, she went to work by train instead of motorbike.

“Riding the tram helps me both save time and stress to avoid other vehicles and potentially reduce gas costs when traveling by train only costs 200,000 VND per month. However, taking the train also has the inconvenience of having to travel more than 4km from home to Cat Linh pier by motorbike…”, Ms. Hanh confided.

Ms. Hanh added that her friends on Doi Can and Tran Dang Ninh streets have also changed their vehicles from motorbikes to electric trains to reduce stress in the process of commuting to work.

Cycling to work

For Ms. Hoang Thao Nguyen in Hue City, the price of petrol increased rapidly, accounting for a good amount of her monthly spending budget, so she decided to use a bicycle to go to work.

“The distance from home to my office is about 1km, so riding a bicycle is also convenient, both exercising and saving money.

Normally, riding a motorbike costs about 100,000-150,000 VND for gas/week, if you spend less than 500,000 VND per month. When I switched to cycling, I saved this money to use for other things. Along with that, I only ride a motorbike when the distance is too far,” said Nguyen.

Vo Hoai Nam (a fourth-year student, Duy Tan University, Da Nang) said that when gasoline has not increased, he only pours from 80,000 to 100,000 VND to be able to go for a week. But now, there is a week when Nam has to spend 250,000 VND, so the cost of living also increases, thinking about near and far wherever he goes.

Nam added that because he had to pay for accommodation and gas costs himself, his outings were limited. When going out to eat, he also chooses student restaurants with cheap prices.

The male student also confided that the next time will have to spend more reasonably. Instead of going out on weekends, now he will stay at home to watch movies, or limit shopping…

Cong Sang