Vinh Hao – Phan Thiet Expressway, Ho Chi Minh City

The number of vehicles returning home for Tet increased, causing a 10km traffic jam on the Vinh Hao - Phan Thiet highway, and a series of accidents caused a 3km traffic jam on the Ho Chi Minh City - Dau Giay route on the morning of February 3 (December 24).

At around 7am, traffic was jammed for nearly ten kilometres from south to north on the Vinh Hao – Phan Thiet highway at the Vinh Hao intersection in Tuy Phong district. It took a long time for many cars to get out of the area. While waiting, many drivers turned off their engines and opened their doors to get out of their cars.

Traffic jam on Vinh Hao – Phan Thiet highway through Tuy Phong district. Photo: Trong Thuc — Traffic jam on Vinh Hao – Phan Thiet highway through Tuy Phong district. Photo: *Trong Thuc*

Traffic police in charge of the expressway said the traffic jam lasted for a long time because the red light at the entrance to Highway 1 connecting to the expressway in Vinh Hao commune had a long stopping time, while the number of vehicles on the expressway was very high during the weekend returning home for Tet.

Police have been regulating and guiding vehicles to exit at Dai Ninh intersection, Bac Binh district, more than 40 km away to reduce congestion. The red light in Vinh Hao commune has also been adjusted to a suitable time.

Many drivers got off the bus because they had to wait too long. Photo: Nguyen Cong — Many drivers got off the bus because they had to wait too long. Photo: *Nguyen Cong*

Vinh Hao - Phan Thiet Expressway is more than 100 km long, with a total investment of 11,000 billion VND, passing through 4 districts (Ham Thuan Nam, Ham Thuan Bac, Bac Binh and Tuy Phong) of Binh Thuan, and will open to traffic from May 2023.

At 6am, the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Expressway was also congested for more than 3km through the Long Thanh toll station due to a series of accidents involving 4 cars (4-7 seats). The vehicles had difficulty traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to Dong Nai.

Police barricaded part of the Ho Chi Minh City-Long Thanh-Dau Giay expressway to handle the scene of a series of accidents. Photo: Minh Chung — Police barricaded part of the Ho Chi Minh City-Long Thanh-Dau Giay expressway to handle the scene of a series of accidents. Photo: *Minh Chung*

According to the representative of the Traffic Control Patrol Team No. 6 - Traffic Police Department, today is the peak of Tet holiday, the number of cars passing through Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh Expressway has increased, up to more than 100,000 vehicles per day, combined with the incident, causing congestion. The authorities have arrived at the scene to handle the situation, move the damaged vehicle, and regulate traffic.

The Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Expressway is 55 km long, passing through Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai. The route is crowded with traffic and is often congested, so it is planned to double the width of the section through Ho Chi Minh City, from 4 to 8 lanes, to meet the increasing travel demand.