Thousands of cars poured onto the highway, causing severe traffic congestion in the eastern part of Ho Chi Minh City.

Thousands of private cars flocked to the eastern gateway of Ho Chi Minh City to access the expressway, causing severe traffic congestion. The situation was similar at the western gateway, with vehicles lining up in long queues.

On January 24th (the 25th day of the 12th lunar month), the surge in people returning home for Tet (Lunar New Year) by private vehicles caused serious traffic congestion at the eastern gateway of Ho Chi Minh City.

According to observations by reporters from Giao Thong Newspaper at the An Phu intersection, thousands of vehicles lined up in long queues waiting to enter the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway. Most of these vehicles were passenger cars traveling to eastern provinces such as Vung Tau, Ninh Thuan , and Binh Thuan.

At many times, vehicles lined up seven rows abreast on the road, inching forward little by little. Not only was the An Phu intersection completely gridlocked, but nearby roads such as Mai Chi Tho, Luong Dinh Cua, and Dong Van Cong were also experiencing similar congestion.

Currently, the An Phu intersection is under construction, with most of the road surface barricaded, making traffic flow more difficult. In addition, this is a vital route connecting industrial zones and ports, so the volume of traffic is very high.

(In the photo, a long line of container trucks is seen on Dong Van Cong Street).

"I learned from experience years ago to avoid rush hour to prevent traffic jams, but it seems everyone else has learned the same thing, so cars are lined up in long queues, inching forward little by little. Now, both national highways and expressways are congested," shared Mr. Nguyen Van Quang (resident of District 10) on his way back to his hometown in Khanh Hoa .

Besides cars, the number of people traveling back to their hometowns by motorbike at the eastern gateway of Ho Chi Minh City also increased sharply today. Vehicles were crammed together, weaving between larger streams of traffic. Amidst the rather unpleasant weather in Ho Chi Minh City, people anxiously awaited the roads to clear before continuing their journey.

To reduce congestion, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport recommends that people avoid certain routes from Ho Chi Minh City to the provinces of the Southeast and Central Highlands regions, and vice versa, limiting the concentration of vehicles at the An Phu intersection and surrounding roads. Specifically, the routes from Ho Chi Minh City to the provinces of the Southeast and Central Highlands regions include: Route 1: (all vehicles), Eastern Bus Station - National Highway 13 - National Highway 14 (or Provincial Road 741).

Route 2: National Highway 13 - Pham Van Dong Street - National Highway 1, Thu Duc City (Le Kha Phieu Street) - National Highway 1 - Dong Nai Bridge - Vung Tau Junction Overpass - National Highway 1 (Dau Giay Junction) - National Highway 20; or New Eastern Bus Station - National Highway 1 - Dong Nai Bridge - Vung Tau Junction Overpass - National Highway 1 (Dau Giay Junction) - National Highway 20.

Route 3 (by car): National Highway 13 - Pham Van Dong - Dinh Bo Linh - Bach Dang - Xo Viet Nghe Tinh - Dien Bien Phu - Saigon Bridge - Vo Nguyen Giap - Mai Chi Tho - Expressway access road - Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Expressway - National Highway 1 (Dau Giay Junction) - National Highway 20.

At the western gateway, traffic congestion was also quite severe on the 25th day of the 12th lunar month due to the large number of vehicles returning to their hometowns for Tet. This afternoon, 51 traffic police units across Ho Chi Minh City will simultaneously deploy to ensure traffic safety and order, creating the best conditions for people to return home for Tet. On the city's main roads, traffic police will patrol continuously, promptly detecting and handling incidents on the road.

At complex intersections, traffic police and other forces will be present regularly to regulate and direct traffic. It is predicted that from 6 PM to 10 PM and from 5 AM to 11 AM tomorrow, main roads and expressway access routes will be very crowded, potentially causing localized traffic congestion. Traffic police advise people to check information and news before traveling to choose a suitable route.

On January 24th, 25th, and 26th (corresponding to the 25th, 26th, and 27th of the 12th lunar month), the Traffic Police Department will also distribute 13,200 bottles of mineral water, 3,000 wet wipes, 400 helmets, lucky money envelopes promoting traffic safety, and some food items (bread or steamed buns) to support and encourage people returning home for Tet.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/hang-ngan-xe-con-do-ve-cao-toc-giao-thong-phia-dong-tphcm-un-u-nang-192250124141657758.htm