Flash new parking system

One of HCMC's largest motorbike parking lots (adjacent the Tax Center, Le Loi) has modified it's system, or lack of one - the little bits of paper that keep the stapling industry ticking over here are no longer. Now, one is issued with a small plastic card when entering. It says, amongst other things, that if lost if'll cost 25,000, if you find one and return it they'll give you 15,000.



The fee schedule is set out in the parking lot.



Less than 3 hours - 2000d, less than 6 hours - 4,000d and less than 9 hours - 6,000d.

When leaving a guy takes your card and scans the information whilst a camera takes a snapshot of your number plate on the rear of your bike which he views on a screen.



So, technology has arrived, at least for one city parking lot!

Urban Jungle

Here is a motorcycle car park from the center of town near the now infamous golden triangle that was recently auctioned off for 500 million dollars or something ridiculous (and that doesn't even buy the land, just the rights to use it...).

This area of land adjacent to Pham Ngu Lao has been a 'hung' project since I arrived three and a half years ago...I just find it staggering considering the value of the land must be so astronomical, and it is most recently being used as a 3000 dong a time motorbike park!