Ho Chi Minh City: Abolish toll collection for temporary use of roadways and sidewalks

*The current toll-free parking area under Le Lai Street (old District 1) has been converted into a charging station for electric cars. Photo: Quang Phuong taken on the morning of November 24*

The People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City has just issued Decision No. 2828/QD-UBND on abolishing Decision 32/2023/QD-UBND dated July 26, 2023 (Decision 32/2023) of the City People's Committee on the management and temporary use of a part of the roadway and sidewalk in the area.

The abolition of Decision 32/2023 (above) is based on Decree 165/2024/ND-CP dated December 26, 2024 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of a number of articles of the Road Law and Article 77 of the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety, along with a number of related Laws, Resolutions and documents.

The decision to abolish Decision 32/2023 takes effect from November 19, 2025. The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee assigns the Chief of Office of the City People's Committee, Director of the Department of Construction, Heads of departments, branches, sectors, Chairmen of People's Committees of wards, communes, special zones and relevant agencies, organizations, units and individuals to be responsible for implementing the decision.

In many other areas in District 1 and District 5 (old), cars are still parked freely on the street, causing traffic congestion. In the photo is Hung Vuong Street (old District 1). Photo: Quang Phuong taken on the morning of November 24

Previously, in July 2023, Decision 32/2023 allowed the temporary use of part of the roadway and sidewalk for business purposes, trading of goods, parking, organizing funerals, weddings, cultural and sports activities.

After being used for other purposes, the sidewalk width for pedestrians (excluding the curb) must be at least 1.5m, the remaining roadway must be large enough to accommodate at least 2 lanes of traffic in one direction.

Since the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee issued Decision 32/2023, many districts have organized for people, businesses, and organizations to register for temporary use of roads and sidewalks by paying fees. Collecting fees for sidewalks and roads is considered one of the solutions to help improve urban order, creating conditions for people and businesses to use them legally, in accordance with local conditions.

*A series of cars parked on the street on Nguyen Chi Thanh Street (old District 5). Photo: Quang Phuong taken on the morning of November 24*

However, from January 1, 2025, the Road Law and the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety, along with Decree 165/2024, officially take effect. According to the new regulations, the Provincial People's Committee is no longer allowed to issue separate regulations on the use of roads and sidewalks and does not allow the use of sidewalks for business activities, trading of goods and services as before.

In fact, records in Ho Chi Minh City show that there is still a situation of encroachment and illegal use of roads and sidewalks for trading, parking, assembling construction materials, waste, etc., affecting urban aesthetics and posing potential traffic safety risks.

Faced with the above situation, the Department of Construction of Ho Chi Minh City and localities have issued many directives, reminders... requesting strict handling of illegal encroachment of roads and sidewalks. In addition, the Department of Construction of the city also requested the City Police and localities to strengthen inspection and rectification of illegal stopping and parking on key routes; encroachment of roads, sidewalks, etc.

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/tp-ho-chi-minh-bai-bo-thu-phi-mot-phan-long-duong-he-pho-su-dung-tam-thoi-10396851.html