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HCMC Faces Traffic Nightmare with Stricter Enforcement of New Regulations

HCMC battles ‘suffocating’ traffic congestion amid new traffic law enforcement

On January 16, officials in Ho Chi Minh City convened a press event to discuss various economic and social matters, emphasizing the rising traffic congestion and the impact of Decree 168.

Nguyen Thanh Loi, the Deputy Head of the Traffic Safety Committee, reported notable improvements since Decree 168 was put in place. The heightened penalties have led to a decrease in violations such as driving on sidewalks and ignoring traffic signals, resulting in fewer traffic accidents overall.

Despite these advancements, Loi pointed out an unintended side effect—growing traffic congestion.

This increase is linked to a spike in travel and freight activities at year-end, alongside better adherence to traffic regulations. As more drivers stop using sidewalks, traffic queues on roads have lengthened.

Ho Chi Minh City’s transportation system, built for a much lower volume of vehicles, is now overwhelmed by over 10 million personal vehicles, including 1 million cars and countless motorcycles, in addition to visiting traffic.

Technical challenges with traffic signals and occasional delays in inter-agency coordination have further worsened the congestion.

Efforts are underway to tackle these challenges. Plans include upgrading traffic signals and implementing right-turn indicators at 534 intersections by January 19 to facilitate smoother traffic flow.

Authorities are also working to reclaim sidewalks and roads that have been encroached upon, to create additional space for vehicles.

In response to public concerns about traffic violations, officials clarified that penalties will only be applied under specific circumstances, ensuring that enforcement is equitable.

The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has tasked relevant departments with finding immediate strategies to alleviate traffic jams while prioritizing order and convenience for commuters.

Do Ngoc Hai, who leads the Road Infrastructure Management Division within the Department of Transport, mentioned that traffic volume in central districts has surged by 11% compared to the previous year, further complicated by festival-related detours.

Hai noted that Decree 168 has enhanced driver discipline rather than directly causing congestion, leading to longer and more organized waiting times.

The Department of Transport is reviewing the traffic signal system with a focus on optimizing right-turn signals, looking at their current placements and proposing alternative solutions where needed.

While signaling and signage are largely established, Hi acknowledged that the city’s traffic infrastructure is still inadequate to satisfy current demands. Significant time and financial investment will be necessary for expansion and upgrades.

In the meantime, authorities pledge to keep monitoring and managing traffic to offer immediate, practical solutions for commuters.


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