The move is part of a pilot programme proposed by the HCM City Department of Science and Technology's Standards, Metrology and Quality Division.

The programme was aimed at managing and improving the quality of service the companies provide, a representative of the division said in a meeting between the HCM City Department of Science and Technology with the city's Taxi Association.

"A passenger survey about the new service will also be conducted, and if the programme proves a success, it would be applied nationwide," he said.

Many more taxi companies support the policy.

According to Ta Long Hy, chief director of Vinasun Taxi, printing invoices would show passengers they were getting a genuine service.

Invoices will state the fare and company name, address and phone number. They will also have the driver's full name, time, journey duration and distance printed on them.

This will allow passengers to check the amount paid compared to the distance travelled.

It will also make it easier for passengers to reclaim lost property.

Hy said that taxi firms wanted to provide a transparent service for passengers, and supplying invoices would help them to do that.

Passengers leave their belongings in taxis all the time, but they are unable to remember any details about the driver, car or firm, according to Ton Nu Thien Huong, a passenger who left her MacBook Air and iPhone in a cab and was never able to reclaim them.

An official from the Quality Measurement Standards Division said the move would prevent drivers from tampering with the meters.

Hy said that relevant agencies should consider attaching a receipt printing device to the meter, rather than forcing businesses to buy printers for up to VND3.2 million (US$160) each.

Vietnamnet