Unresolved long-standing bottlenecks fuel traffic congestion in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is currently grappling with severe traffic jams, worsened by long-standing bottlenecks and inadequate infrastructure.

A staggering one million cars and 8.4 million motorcycles have overcrowded streets throughout the southern metropolis.

Among many traffic hotspots are Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, Xo Viet Nghe Tinh Street, Dinh Bo Linh – Bach Dang Intersection, Hang Xanh Intersection, An Phu Interchange, the stretch of Nguyen Thi Dinh Street from My Thuy Roundabout to Cat Lai Port, Duong Ba Trac Street, Truong Chinh Street, Cong Hoa – Hoang Hoa Tham Junction, the Tan Son Nhat International Airport area, and Cach Mang Thang Tam – Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Intersection.

The root causes of traffic congestion in the city are multifaceted, with numerous interrelated factors contributing to the problem. 

Focusing on a single solution would be shortsighted and ineffective, so addressing the issue requires a comprehensive, synchronized approach with a range of solutions.

One effective solution is to boost public transport and control personal vehicle usage. 

For instance, imposing toll fees on cars entering the heart of the city or frequently congested areas could be an efficient step, especially in places where the public transport infrastructure, such as metro services, is already available.

Designating separate lanes for buses on wider streets, which could be used by emergency vehicles, might also improve traffic flow. 

On narrower routes, private vehicles should be required to give way to buses, enabling public transportation to operate more efficiently and attract more passengers.

Another approach is to regulate traffic during peak hours and address traffic violations more effectively. 

Swift action to curb illegal sidewalk occupation and roadway parking is needed to smooth traffic flow. 

Improving traffic organization by adjusting one-way flows and implementing flexible routing depending on the congestion situation is another solution.

Also, rapid investment in transport infrastructure is vital. 

Solving the traffic bottleneck on Nguyen Tat Thanh Street in District 4 could be achieved primarily through the construction of Thu Thiem 4 Bridge, connecting the Thu Thiem New Urban Area with District 7, and Binh Tien Bridg, which will link Binh Tien-Pham Van Chi Intersection in District 6.

For the severe traffic jams that plague the Cach Mang Thang Tam-Truong Chinh route, speeding up the construction of the second metro line, designed to span from Ben Thanh Market in downtown Ho Chi Minh City to Tham Luong Bridge in District 12, will be key to alleviating congestion. 

Easing congestion near Tan Son Nhat airport

To reduce traffic pressure near Tan Son Nhat International Airport, the construction of an elevated road is essential. 

The 9.5-kilometer-long elevated road, which has already been approved, will stretch from Lang Cha Ca Intersection through Tran Quoc Hoang, Phan Thuc Duyen, Hoang Van Thu, Phan Dang Luu, and Phan Xich Long Streets to Dien Bien Phu Street.

Additionally, authorities could reduce traffic on Truong Son Street by diverting vehicles onto nearby routes, including Tra Khuc, Song Da, Song Day, and Phan Dinh Giot Streets, and limiting U-turns on Cong Hoa Street to facilitate traffic flow.

During rush hours, extending the duration of green lights on Cong Hoa Street to at least two minutes could help prevent gridlock.

Cong Hoa-Hoang Hoa Tham Intersection would also be smoother and more organized if the overpass was dedicated to only cars.

By Tieu Bac & Tran Van Tuong & Duc Tuan – Tuoi Tre News – January 16, 2025