After the long Tet holiday, thousands of people from various provinces returned to Ho Chi Minh City to resume work and school. However, the return day turned into a significant challenge as severe traffic congestion occurred at many city entrances, causing particular exhaustion for children.
Image shows a long line of vehicles moving slowly on major roads leading into Ho Chi Minh City.
Traffic Congestion at Ho Chi Minh City Entrances
From the afternoon of the fifth day of Tet, the number of vehicles entering Ho Chi Minh City surged, causing severe traffic jams on main routes such as National Highway 1A, Nguyen Van Linh Street, and inner-city thoroughfares. Particularly, the western and eastern parts of the city faced the most pressure due to heavy traffic density.
A continuous line of vehicles moving slowly on National Highway 1A.
Despite leaving home early, many families still spent over five hours traveling short distances. This not only affected adults but also caused extreme fatigue and stress for children. Many children fell asleep or cried due to the long hours spent in the hot sun.
Heartfelt Stories from Residents
Ms. Nguyen Ngoc (43 years old, Vung Tau), one of the travelers returning to Ho Chi Minh City, shared, “We left home at 3 PM but didn’t reach the city until 8 PM. My children were hungry, tired, and kept crying. I was really worried about their health.”
Many children appeared tired and exhausted throughout the journey.
This situation was not unique to Ms. Ngoc; many other families experienced similar difficulties. Constant movement under challenging traffic conditions caused both adults and children to feel stressed and inconvenienced.
Solutions from Authorities
To address this issue, authorities implemented several measures to alleviate traffic pressure. Police forces were reinforced at key locations, and traffic rerouting was organized effectively. However, due to the overwhelming influx of people, traffic jams persisted for many hours.
Traffic control forces worked diligently to reduce congestion.
By approximately 8:45 PM, the flow of vehicles heading to the city center began to decrease, showing signs of improved traffic conditions. Nevertheless, this remains an issue that needs comprehensive and effective solutions in future Tet holidays.
Conclusion
Traffic congestion following the Tet holiday not only poses challenges for adults but also significantly impacts the health and spirits of children. To prevent similar issues, authorities must develop more coordinated and effective traffic management solutions. Additionally, residents should proactively plan their travel to avoid being caught in difficult situations.
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A long queue at Cat Lai port waiting for the ferry.
