Overloaded Ho Chi Minh City, Trung Luong Expressway temporarily opens emergency lane to traffic

Heavy traffic on the Ho Chi Minh City, Trung Luong Expressway prompted Vietnam’s Traffic Police to take the unusual step of directing vehicles into the emergency lane on Sept. 1.

The temporary arrangement covered traffic traveling from Mekong Delta provinces and cities toward Ho Chi Minh City. Police applied it between Km49+800, near the former Than Cuu Nghia toll station, and Km10+000, near the Cho Dem toll station.

Traffic Police Team 7 used specialized motorcycles to guide vehicles into the emergency lane on parts of the route. The arrangement ran from 4:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. and applied only in the direction of Ho Chi Minh City. Drivers traveling from Ho Chi Minh City toward the Mekong Delta were not allowed to enter the emergency lane on their own.

Authorities said vehicle numbers had risen sharply during the National Day holiday, slowing traffic in some areas. Police instructed drivers to obey officers, avoid cutting in and dangerous overtaking, keep a safe distance, and limit lane changes while the expressway remained crowded. The route is a main link between Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta and regularly faces congestion during holidays and festivals.