People return to Ho Chi Minh City, the gateways are congested

On the evening of September 2, people from the provinces returned to Ho Chi Minh City after the holiday. Many roads were congested due to the large number of vehicles pouring into bus stations and city gates.

National Highway 1 - the gateway to the western provinces to Ho Chi Minh City, very crowded with vehicles causing local congestion. Photo: QUOC HUNG

On National Highway 1A and National Highway 50 towards the gateways of Ho Chi Minh City, traffic was congested due to the large number of vehicles returning to Ho Chi Minh City and the Southeast provinces from the Central, Western, and Central Highlands provinces. At 4:00 p.m., on National Highway 1A from Dong Nai province towards Ho Chi Minh City, there were thousands of motorbikes and cars moving very slowly.

At around 4:30 p.m., the Long Thanh - Ho Chi Minh City expressway through An Phu intersection experienced congestion. To avoid local congestion, traffic police were on duty regularly to direct traffic.

Thousands of vehicles "stuck" on the Long Thanh - Ho Chi Minh City highway at An Phu intersection. Photo: QUOC HUNG

According to SGGP reporters, at 6 p.m., on National Highway 1A (through Binh Chanh Commune, Tan Kien Ward, towards the city), cars and motorbikes jostled and moved slowly. Especially motorbikes coming from National Highway 1A moved slowly in a row. The section from Binh Dien Bridge to Mien Tay Bus Station was partially congested due to the increasing number of vehicles coming in.

The Western Bus Station also recorded a high number of vehicles arriving compared to the days before the holiday. On Kinh Duong Vuong and Nguyen Van Linh streets leading into the city, the traffic was crowded but there was no congestion. At the Eastern Bus Station (old and new) in the evening of the same day, many vehicles arrived at the station. The vehicles had to move slowly.

Traffic congestion at An Phu intersection on Long Thanh - Ho Chi Minh City expressway. Photo: QUOC HUNG

Mr. Nguyen Lam Hai, Deputy Director of the Eastern Bus Station, said that in 4 days, the number of passengers passing through inter-provincial bus stations increased by about 26%, reaching more than 54,000 passengers with a total of 2,760 departures. Many bus companies have adjusted ticket prices up to 40% to cover costs and relieve passengers.

At the Cat Lai ferry area, a line of vehicles is waiting to take the ferry from Nhon Trach district, Dong Nai province to Ho Chi Minh City. Mr. Nguyen Chien Thang, Director of Thanh Nien Xung Phong Ferry Management Enterprise, said that during the 4 holidays, the ferry carries an average of 65,000 passengers per day, 20,000 more than usual. Currently, the wharf operates 320 double ferry trips per day, double the usual number with 7 ferries mobilized.

At Binh Khanh ferry, there are 188 ferry trips/day, an increase of 18% over the same period, the number of passengers reaches 32,600 passengers, an increase of 11% over the same period. Can Gio - Vung Tau sea ferry operates over 30 trips per day (outbound and return), an average of 2,300 passengers/day, equivalent to the same period last year. At Tan Son Nhat airport, on average, each day during this holiday, the airport welcomes about 125,000 passengers, an increase of 6% over the same period.

Photo: QUOC HUNG

The Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Infrastructure Management Center also continuously updates traffic situations through electronic boards to provide timely warnings.

In order to reduce the pressure on vehicles, the traffic police increased their force to guide and coordinate traffic to minimize congestion and ensure order. Although the number of people flocking to the bus station was very large, the situation was still generally orderly.

QUOC HUNG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/nguoi-dan-tro-lai-tphcm-cac-cua-ngo-un-u-post811371.html