Severe traffic jams plague Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway after weekend holiday

The Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway experienced severe traffic congestion on the afternoon of June 14, with vehicles moving at a crawl for tens of kilometers.

The gridlock, particularly heavy on the section connecting the Phan Thiet - Dau Giay expressway to the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay route, extended towards the city center. Some drivers reported travel times doubling or even tripling compared to normal days. The situation was exacerbated by the sheer volume of vehicles, with thousands of cars inching forward in dense traffic.

Authorities attribute the congestion to a sharp increase in travel demand following the weekend holiday break. A significant number of vehicles from provinces including Dong Nai, Lam Dong, and Khanh Hoa converged on the expressway during peak hours, exceeding its capacity. The traffic police deployed officers to manage critical intersections and handle minor incidents to prevent the jams from worsening.

To alleviate the pressure, traffic police implemented diversion strategies, allowing vehicles to enter and exit the expressway in rotation via junctions with National Highway 1 and National Highway 51. Drivers were advised to consider alternative routes, such as National Highway 1, to reduce congestion on the main expressway. Despite these measures, the high volume of traffic continued to pose significant challenges for commuters returning to Ho Chi Minh City after their weekend activities.