Traffic congestion continued to disrupt Ho Chi Minh City on Friday evening, extending well beyond peak hours. Major routes, city center streets, and airport access points were heavily congested as the city faced heightened travel demand ahead of the Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) holiday.
Starting around 5:00 pm, traffic jams spread across the city, particularly in downtown areas, near Tan Son Nhat International Airport, along routes to the Cat Lai Ferry, and on National Highway 1.
At the busy My Thuy Roundabout in Thu Duc City, vehicles heading from Dong Van Cong Street to Cat Lai Ferry were stuck in long lines of buses and tractor trailers, clogging both the overpass and underpass. The gridlock extended to Vo Chi Cong Street and the Ho Chi Minh City-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway, forcing vehicles to move at a crawl.
The Tan Son Nhat airport area experienced heavy congestion throughout the day, with traffic on Bach Dang Street reduced to a standstill. Nearby streets like Nguyen Van Troi, Phan Dinh Phung, and Phan Dang Luu also saw significant slowdowns, particularly near major intersections.
In desperation, motorcyclists took to sidewalks to bypass long queues, further complicating the situation. By 7:00 pm, widespread traffic snarls continued across the city, even past rush hour.
Causes of Congestion
The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport attributed the worsening traffic to a combination of factors: Increased travel demand ahead of Tet, with traffic volume rising 11% compared to normal days. Temporary road closures for festivals and events. The close proximity of intersections in the city center, which causes backups at red lights.
Ongoing Efforts to Alleviate Congestion
Authorities reported improvements in traffic violations, such as running red lights and driving on sidewalks, following the introduction of Decree 168. The decree imposes stricter penalties for poor driving behavior, aiming to enhance road safety.
To address the congestion, city officials are collaborating to better organize traffic at critical junctions, gateways, and around the airport. Planned measures include: Adding dedicated lanes to key roads. Implementing right-turn signals at congested intersections. Streamlining traffic flow at downtown intersections to prevent backups.
With Tet rapidly approaching, city officials are working to minimize disruptions and ensure smoother travel for residents and visitors during this busy holiday season.
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Source: Vietnam Insider