As the holiday season begins, vehicles jostle at the gateway to Ho Chi Minh City

The stream of cars returning for the holidays lined up on Highway 1 (towards the Western provinces) before crossing Binh Dien bridge – Photo: PHUONG QUANYEN

The street is crowded with people going on holiday

At around 4:00 p.m., on Kinh Duong Vuong street (the section from An Lac bridge leading to An Lac roundabout, Binh Tan district), traffic began to congest when thousands of vehicles from the direction of Mien Tay bus station flocked to this route.

Large vehicles run three-by-two, motorbikes jostle close to the sidewalk, and climb the sidewalk. There were even times when motorbikes almost couldn’t move and were hidden behind large vehicles. On An Lac bridge, the line of cars almost stood still, waiting under the intense sunlight even though it was late afternoon.

Vehicles jostle each other at the gateway of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi

By 4:30 p.m., congestion had spread on Kinh Duong Vuong street (Binh Tan district), Tran Dai Nghia street (Binh Chanh district), An Lac roundabout… People’s travel in the western gateway area The city is facing many difficulties, traffic is moving little by little.

At the eastern gateway, the number of vehicles flowing to Mai Chi Tho street and the Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh – Dau Giay expressway increased suddenly, leading to serious congestion at the An Phu intersection (Thu Duc city). , extending about 3km.

The flow of vehicles on Mai Chi Tho street, moving from Thu Thiem tunnel to the expressway, faces many difficulties, inching little by little.

According to the Traffic Police Department (PC08) of Ho Chi Minh City Police, from dawn on April 26, the unit has launched troops to regulate and divide traffic on National Highway 1 to ensure traffic order and safety for people. people before, during and after the holidays of April 30 and May 1.

By early afternoon of the same day, the units simultaneously deployed, coordinating with the police of districts and Thu Duc City to focus on regulating and classifying traffic at gateways into and out of the city, as well as on routes. Arterial roads to airports, train stations, bus stations, ferry terminals…

Binh Dien Bridge facing the West is full of traffic – Photo: PHUONG QUANYEN

Busy bus station

According to records at Mien Dong New Bus Station (Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City) at 4:45 p.m. on April 26, people coming to the station to buy and book tickets began to bustle. Some bus companies at this station said that more tickets were booked than usual. Some routes are also nearly full on peak days April 27 and 28.

Exchange with Tuoi Tre Online, a representative of the new Mien Dong bus station said that the peak season in this period starts from May 28 to May 3. The bus station has prepared scenarios for cases where the number of passengers suddenly increases, proactively coordinating with bus operators to increase numbers when necessary.

Similarly, Mr. Do Phu Dat – deputy director of the old Mien Dong bus station (Binh Thanh district) – said that the peak number of visitors on this holiday is also forecast on the above days. Of which, the highest number is on April 28 with a forecast number of about 17,800 passengers and 550 trips.

Meanwhile, the hottest travel situation is forecast at Mien Tay bus station (Binh Tan district). It is estimated that this year’s holiday will have more than 270,000 visitors. In particular, the peak day is forecast to be on Saturday (April 27) with the number of passengers passing through the station possibly reaching more than 61,000, with 2,100 vehicles.

Mr. Nam (a worker) shared that he and his wife had a day off on April 27, but they came to buy tickets in advance to avoid crowding.

Recorded at Mien Tay bus station on the afternoon of April 26, the number of passengers gradually increased after 5:00 p.m. - Photo: PHUONG QUANYEN — Recorded at Mien Tay bus station on the afternoon of April 26, the number of passengers gradually increased after 5:00 p.m. – Photo: PHUONG QUANYEN

A representative of Mien Tay bus station said that by 5:30 p.m., the situation at the station began to get crowded but remained stable. However, it is predicted that the wharf will gradually become more crowded in the evening. Mien Tay Bus Station also asked bus operators to increase trips, and at the same time coordinate with the Ho Chi Minh City Public Transport Management Center to issue 150 badges to increase fixed-route buses and reserve buses.

“The bus station also recommends that people proactively book tickets early online… Therefore, when they arrive at the station, people only get tickets and get on the bus, so it is usually not too crowded,” this representative said.

Some street images in Ho Chi Minh City before the holiday season

The gateway to Tan Son Nhat airport, Tan Binh district was packed with vehicles at 5:45 p.m. - Photo: DUYEN PHAN — The gateway to Tan Son Nhat airport, Tan Binh district was packed with vehicles at 5:45 p.m. – Photo: DUYEN PHAN

After the last working day before the long holiday, people rush home to prepare their belongings, making the streets crowded - Photo: DUYEN PHAN — After the last working day before the long holiday, people rush home to prepare their belongings, making the streets crowded – Photo: DUYEN PHAN

Motorcycles and passenger cars on Highway 1 to the Western provinces - Photo: PHUONG QUANYEN — Motorcycles and passenger cars on Highway 1 to the Western provinces – Photo: PHUONG QUANYEN

Because it is close to Ho Chi Minh City, many people in the Western provinces choose to go home for the holidays by motorbike - Photo: PHUONG QUANYEN — Because it is close to Ho Chi Minh City, many people in the Western provinces choose to go home for the holidays by motorbike – Photo: PHUONG QUANYEN

Vehicles are crowded together at An Lac roundabout - Photo: PHUONG NHI — Vehicles are crowded together at An Lac roundabout – Photo: PHUONG NHI

An Lac Bridge is crowded with traffic. Cars line up towards the Western provinces - Photo: PHUONG NHI — An Lac Bridge is crowded with traffic. Cars line up towards the Western provinces – Photo: PHUONG NHI

Vehicles from the Western bus station flow to Kinh Duong Vuong street - Photo: PHUONG NHI — Vehicles from the Western bus station flow to Kinh Duong Vuong street – Photo: PHUONG NHI

Mai Chi Tho Street, Thu Duc City, vehicles gradually move towards Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Expressway - Photo: MINH HOA — Mai Chi Tho Street, Thu Duc City, vehicles gradually move towards Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh – Dau Giay Expressway – Photo: MINH HOA

Vehicles were congested in both directions on the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway, near the An Phu intersection on the afternoon of April 26. The road parallel to the expressway is also affected, with prolonged congestion - Photo: MINH HOA — Vehicles are congested in both directions on the Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh – Dau Giay expressway, near the An Phu intersection on the afternoon of April 26. The road parallel to the expressway is also affected, with prolonged congestion – Photo: MINH HOA

Cars from Mai Chi Tho street turn right onto the expressway, one after another, causing prolonged congestion - Photo: MINH HOA — Cars from Mai Chi Tho street turn right onto the expressway, one after another, causing prolonged congestion – Photo: MINH HOA

Traffic jams on Hanoi Highway, the area from Mien Dong New Bus Station (Thu Duc City) to Dong Nai Province - Photo: CHAU TUAN — Traffic jams on Hanoi Highway, the area from Mien Dong New Bus Station (Thu Duc City) to Dong Nai Province – Photo: CHAU TUAN

The new Mien Dong bus station is crowded but airy - Photo: CHAU TUAN — The new Mien Dong bus station is crowded but airy – Photo: CHAU TUAN

Cat Lai ferry is smooth

On the afternoon of April 26, people went on holiday to Cat Lai ferry terminal (Thu Duc City) to Dong Nai, Ba Ria – Vung Tau. Mr. Hoang Anh Tuan, a construction worker who also has a wife and children returning to Vung Tau, said that this year’s holiday is long, so he also chooses a time to go home so he doesn’t have to worry about traveling.

From afternoon to evening, the number of people going to celebrate at Cat Lai ferry is not crowded. Normally, the vacation is long so people choose when to travel and now there are many traffic routes so they also divide the ferry time. At 7:00 p.m., the ferry was still running smoothly.