Thinking about the 'boldness' on Cong Hoa Street

People in Ho Chi Minh City used to say: "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go slowly, take Cong Hoa Street."

Cong Hoa Street has become less congested after the implementation of reverse lanes - Photo: TRI DUC

Of course, this is just a humorous way of saying it "following the trend," but the saying is also very realistic, stemming from the chronic reality of the city's most congested road. The congestion is so bad that for years, people have stopped complaining, because many have come to believe that solving the traffic jam here is almost impossible.

By mid-May 2026, when the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction implements lane changes, reverses traffic direction, and installs movable median barriers, a very different Cong Hoa Street will have emerged.

This "unprecedented" solution has helped to make Cong Hoa Street less congested, allowing vehicles to flow faster, and making people happier.

But what we see on Cong Hoa Street is not just a technical solution, but more importantly, the "courage" of those implementing it. Why? Let's go back to the humorous saying "if you want to travel slowly, take Cong Hoa Street," which has been around long enough to become a trend. It shows that you need courage, a willingness to confront the reality of traffic congestion here.

Because if things are left as they are, Cộng Hòa Street will be less congested, and fewer people will complain. But if things are changed, the chances of success are questionable, and failure will certainly lead to considerable criticism.

That's a very practical argument that, over the years, has deterred many government agencies in various situations.

But with Cộng Hòa Street, the "courage" of the officials – as Party Secretary Trần Lưu Quang once mentioned – appeared at the right time and in the right place. And that "courage" also appeared on National Highway 51, National Highway 13, the Điện Biên Phủ roundabout, the opening of the Nguyễn Cửu Vân - Điện Biên Phủ intersection... making traffic smoother and safer with new solutions.

Now that traffic on Cong Hoa Street is less congested, and on National Highways 51 and 13 it's safer... we can easily talk about the effectiveness of the solutions that have been implemented.

But just over six months ago, implementing traffic reorganization on National Highway 51 faced numerous challenges, including skepticism, opposition, and even unpleasant questions from the authorities.

The fact that these roads are now clear and safe further demonstrates that, in addition to strong professional skills and knowledge of regulations, courage and bravery are essential qualities for law enforcement officers.

But that kind of "boldness" can only appear regularly when society is always open to embracing new things, being lenient even when innovations and solutions are unsuccessful. Because even when a solution fails, the previous concerns still have value in driving progress.

What is needed even more is a legal framework sufficient to protect those who have dared to innovate for the common good, even granting exemptions to those who may unintentionally violate regulations but do so without self-interest, stemming from a genuine concern to serve the people.

There was already some "courage" on Cong Hoa Street, on National Highway 51, National Highway 13... The city and the country, with so much newness and chaos on the path of development, still need many more such "courage".

It takes countless open hearts and a safe legal framework to embrace and accept change and solutions. Only then will positive actions like those on Cong Hoa Street become commonplace, something to be done and accepted with ease!

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nghi-ve-cai-gan-tren-duong-cong-hoa-20260601093152819.htm