10km Traffic Jam on Ho Chi Minh City-Long Thanh Expressway

Traffic ground to a halt for approximately 10 kilometers on the Ho Chi Minh City-Long Thanh-Dau Giay expressway on June 13. The severe congestion stemmed from a significant increase in vehicles as people traveled for summer holidays.

The gridlock began near the Long Phuoc toll station and extended to the An Phu intersection. Thousands of vehicles moved slowly, at times nearly stationary, on the expressway. The congestion also spilled over to connecting roads, with long queues forming on Vo Chi Cong Street near the Phu Huu roundabout as drivers sought to access the expressway. Mai Chi Tho Street at the intersection with Vo Nguyen Giap also experienced heavy traffic.

Authorities identified the surge in weekend summer travel as the primary cause. Many families opt for personal vehicles to reach tourist destinations during this period. To mitigate the situation, traffic police implemented measures, including the controlled opening and closing of access points to the expressway at the Phu Huu roundabout and the intersection of Vo Nguyen Giap and Mai Chi Tho streets. This aimed to prevent a sudden influx of vehicles onto the main route.

Authorities advised drivers to consider alternative routes to bypass the expressway congestion. For those heading towards Bien Hoa or National Highway 51/1, they suggested continuing straight on Vo Nguyen Giap. Similarly, drivers on Vo Chi Cong were advised to proceed straight to Phu Huu Bridge and then follow Vo Nguyen Giap towards Bien Hoa. Despite these recommendations, some drivers reportedly attempted to find ways back onto the expressway via alternative routes.