Holiday Gridlock on Vietnam Expressway Leaves Drivers Stranded Without Fuel

The recent holiday period saw significant disruptions for travelers on the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway, as a prolonged traffic jam left many drivers stranded and anxious. The situation was exacerbated by the closure of a crucial gas station at the rest stop in Dong Nai province, which has been out of service since late January. This closure meant that drivers caught in the gridlock, with fuel gauges nearing empty, were unable to refuel, forcing them to either risk running out of gas or detour off the expressway to find an alternative station.

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I looked at the gas indicator on the car and it was nearly empty, so I went to the Chau Thanh gas station on the expressway to add more fuel. However, the gas station here was closed. So I had to continue driving, nervously worried about running out of gas. When I reached the Long Thanh section, I had to turn off to National Road 51 to find a gas station to refuel.

One driver, Phan Van Tan, recounted his stressful experience, describing how he had to exit the main highway to find a working gas station after discovering the one on the expressway was closed. He noted that many other families faced similar predicaments, highlighting the essential nature of this service, especially during peak travel times. The prolonged closure, attributed to a civil dispute between the operating companies and VEC (Vietnam Expressway Corporation), has been a point of frustration for commuters who rely on this vital amenity.

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The dispute between Thai Son E&C Joint Stock Company and the gas station operator Chau Thanh Co., Ltd. is still being handled by People's Court Region 1 - Ho Chi Minh City, awaiting trial.

VEC has acknowledged the issue, stating that a legal dispute is ongoing and awaiting a court ruling. They have made repeated requests for temporary permits to allow fuel sales while the dispute is resolved, but these have not yet been granted by the Dong Nai provincial authorities. Consequently, VEC is advising drivers to fill up their tanks before entering the expressway to avoid similar situations. The lack of essential services at rest stops on major transport routes like this expressway raises questions about infrastructure management and the timely resolution of commercial disputes that directly impact public convenience and safety.

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Therefore, VEC advises people to refuel before entering the expressway to ensure smooth travel.