People return to their hometowns on the afternoon of the 24th of Tet: An Phu intersection is less congested thanks to the underpass, while the area around the airport is congested.

On the afternoon of February 11th (the 24th day of the 12th lunar month), people in Ho Chi Minh City continued their journey back to their hometowns to celebrate the 2026 Lunar New Year. Traffic at the An Phu intersection and the western gateway of Ho Chi Minh City was observed to be smooth, while traffic around the airport was congested.

Báo Tuổi Trẻ•11/02/2026

Cars traveling from Mai Chi Tho Street can drive through the underpass and then onto the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway, avoiding the An Phu interchange - Photo: MINH HOA

On the afternoon of February 11th (the 24th day of the 12th lunar month), many people in Ho Chi Minh City continued their journey back to their hometowns to celebrate the 2026 Lunar New Year. During peak hours, traffic at the An Phu intersection (formerly Thu Duc City) was relatively smooth thanks to the newly opened underpass system.

At the An Phu intersection, the junction between Mai Chi Tho Street, Dong Van Cong Street, and the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Expressway, traffic volume increases sharply from early morning towards the end of the year. However, contrary to concerns about traffic congestion like in previous years, traffic in this area is relatively stable this year.

Based on observations, the two underpasses at the An Phu intersection have proven remarkably effective in managing traffic flow. Vehicles traveling from Mai Chi Tho Street towards the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Expressway no longer have to stop at traffic lights or conflict with vehicles turning left or right on the surface. Instead, vehicles can proceed directly through the underpasses to the expressway, significantly reducing travel time and preventing congestion .

Thanks to the effective traffic flow separation between directions at the intersection, traffic on the side roads is also less congested compared to previous Tet holiday seasons.

Mr. Tran Minh Tuan (residing in Binh Thanh ward) said that in previous years, passing through the An Phu intersection meant certain traffic jams, sometimes taking almost an hour to get onto the expressway. This year, the journey was quite fast, with cars moving continuously and smoothly, without much stopping or waiting.

The fact that vehicles from Mai Chi Tho Street no longer encounter conflicts at the ground-level interchange has contributed to reducing traffic congestion when entering the expressway.

Meanwhile, observations were made in the area surrounding the airport. At Tan Son Nhat Airport , traffic conditions are becoming increasingly complex. Roads such as Truong Son, Hoang Van Thu, and Cong Hoa frequently experience prolonged congestion, especially during peak hours in the afternoon and evening.

Around 4 PM, a sudden heavy downpour hit the Tan Son Nhat airport area, causing traffic congestion. Motorbikes weaved through streams of cars, coaches, and buses, resulting in many sections of the road being almost completely overloaded.

Traffic police are stationed at intersections to regulate and direct traffic flow, minimizing prolonged congestion during the peak Tet holiday season.

The simultaneous influx of private cars, taxis, and ride-hailing vehicles has caused severe traffic congestion on Truong Son Street at many times. Despite increased efforts by traffic police and volunteer youth to regulate and redirect traffic from a distance, the immense pressure has only partially improved traffic flow.

The An Phu intersection is usually congested during holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year), but this year it's quite clear thanks to the underpass - Photo: MINH HOA

After passing through the underpass, vehicles will drive straight onto the highway - Photo: MINH HOA

The An Phu intersection was clear on the afternoon of February 11th (24th day of the Lunar New Year) - Photo: MINH HOA

Vehicles "smoothly" travel from Mai Chi Tho Street through the underpass and onto the expressway - Photo: MINH HOA

Vehicles are jammed together on Hoang Van Thu Street - Photo: Phuong Nhi

Traffic police are stationed to regulate traffic in the Hoang Van Thu Park area - Photo: PHUONG NHI

People returning to their hometowns, traveling, transporting goods, shopping for Tet... are becoming increasingly numerous, causing traffic congestion at many times - Photo: PHUONG NHI