TRAFFIC JAM

Traffic congestion and infrastructure overload have been a long-standing problem in the capital for many years. The causes stem from the rapid population growth, the increasing number of personal vehicles, along with limitations in planning and unsynchronized development of traffic infrastructure.

In recent years, the number of cars and motorbikes in Hanoi has been increasing rapidly, far exceeding the capacity of the existing road system. While the number of vehicles is increasing, the land area for traffic is hardly expanded, making the traffic congestion situation more and more serious.

The belt routes (such as Ring Road 4, Ring Road 3.5) are not yet complete. Some intersections, although having been reorganized, have not yet reached their maximum efficiency. The application of intelligent traffic technology (ITS, AI) is being deployed but has not yet been widespread. Traffic violations such as lane encroachment, running red lights, and entering prohibited roads are still common, and even a small collision can cause prolonged congestion.

---

OVERLOADING DRAINAGE SYSTEM

Photo: Thach Thao

The city's drainage infrastructure has not kept up with the rapid pace of urbanization, and many newly built areas do not have a synchronous drainage system.

In addition, the increase in construction works and roads has significantly reduced the area of vacant land and reservoirs that can naturally absorb water into the ground. Rainwater has no place to drain quickly and stagnates on the surface, causing flooding.

In addition, due to the impact of climate change, extreme weather events, heavy rain concentrated in a short period of time with high intensity, are occurring more frequently, exceeding the design capacity of the current drainage system.

---

AIR POLLUTION

Photo: Thach Thao

Air pollution: Air quality is often at alarming levels, threatening public health, with the main causes identified as traffic activities, industrial zones, craft villages and other emission sources.

Theo IQAir (trước đây là IQAir AirVisual), một công ty công nghệ chất lượng không khí có trụ sở tại Thụy Sĩ vận hành nền tảng thông tin chất lượng không khí, Hà Nội thường xuyên xuất hiện trong Top 10 thành phố ô nhiễm không khí nhất thế giới , thậm chí từng đứng ở vị trí số 1 vào các thời điểm cao điểm ô nhiễm (thường là từ tháng 10 đến tháng 3 năm sau).

---

WATER POLLUTION

Photo: Thach Thao

Water pollution: The problem of urban wastewater, wastewater from residential areas, industrial zones and craft villages that has not been properly treated, pollutes rivers, lakes and groundwater.

A typical example is the pollution of the To Lich River, where hundreds of sewers discharge untreated wastewater from households and businesses along the river directly into the river, which is the main cause of pollution.

To revive the To Lich River, before September 2, the city will deploy an immediate solution of taking water from West Lake to supplement it. By early September, the city will complete the water supply to the To Lich River from treated wastewater from Yen Xa Plant with a capacity of about 230,000m3 per day and night.

---

URBAN MANAGEMENT AND ORDER ISSUES

Photo: Thach Thao

Urban management: Many long-standing urban problems need to be resolved, including management of construction order, sidewalk use and overcrowded urban areas.

Hanoi has organized many campaigns to tackle and eliminate sidewalk encroachment. The largest campaign took place in early 2017. The campaign brought initial positive results, many streets became more open and cleaner, and sidewalks were "reclaimed" for pedestrians. However, after the campaigns, re-encroachment still occurred.

Photo: The Bang - Cong Huan

Photo: Cong Huan

A typical example is the situation of visitors flocking to the railway coffee street every day. After the media reported and recognized the serious risks of railway traffic safety, the local government has repeatedly organized campaigns to handle the situation, requiring the closure of coffee shops, barricading and banning tourists from this area.

But after a short time, when the authorities were no longer on duty, the coffee shops secretly operated again. Tourists, especially international tourists, still came and the violations continued to recur.

Recently, in early October, a dangerous incident occurred in the railway coffee street area, where tables and chairs of a coffee shop were thrown far away by a moving train, and furniture was scattered everywhere. Fortunately, there were no casualties in this incident.

Vietnamnet.vn

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/nhung-nhuc-nhoi-kho-giai-cua-ha-noi-qua-anh-2461804.html