Authorities in Hanoi are trying to deal with thousands of taxis operating in the city, whose licenses are from other provinces.

Inspectors checking taxi verifications

A number of taxi companies, registered in other provinces, continue to operate in Hanoi. Agencies have stated that this has caused difficulties for them. Even though the authorities have ceased granting licenses to new companies, the number of taxis operating in the city continues to rise. 

In order to avoid the laws, taxi firms register the number plates in Hanoi but go to other provinces to register their taxi license badges. Those taxi cars with badges of other provinces would be working in Hanoi instead of their registration locations.

Ha Quang Vinh, an inspector from the Hanoi Department of Transport, said they discovered 10 taxi companies have been using cars without the required licenses in Hanoi. Vinh went on to say that Hanoi currently has 19,000 taxis, of which about 2,000 are not under the management of Hanoi municipal authorities.

Deputy head of Hanoi Department of Transport, Nguyen Hoang Linh, said in order to deal with this problem, there are plans to make special licenses for taxis that are allowed to operate in the city. If the project goes through, 17,000 registered taxis would be given a special badge to show their validity. The project is expected to be implemented by the end of the year.

"The 'special badge' will help management agencies decipher reputable cab companies from those who are trying to get around the law by tricks. This will also make it easier for customers to tell reliable taxi companies from bad ones," said Linh.

Some experts have come out to say even this restrction is not strict enough, criticising the inspection process and even the competency of authorities to uphold current laws.