As the Lunar New Year approaches, Hanoi's streets have become increasingly congested throughout the day, resembling a perpetual rush hour. Representatives from the Hanoi Traffic Police Department attribute the situation to the heightened travel demand during the festive season.

Constant congestion as Tet approaches

On January 12, a spokesperson for the Hanoi Traffic Police Department stated that the surge in travel demand on weekends leading up to Tet has overwhelmed the city's traffic system.

“To ease congestion and facilitate Tet shopping, we have deployed 100% of our personnel to direct traffic across major roads,” the representative explained.

Reports from the same morning revealed that even on a Sunday, traffic on major roads such as the Ring Road 2 (Cau Giay District) was unusually dense. Officers from Traffic Police Team No. 3 were stationed early to manage traffic flow.

At intersections like Nga Tu So (Dong Da District), traffic police worked tirelessly to ease pressure at busy crossings. Additional officers were assigned to key junctions, including Lang-Yen Lang and Lang-Lang Ha, ensuring smoother and safer movement for residents.

Unprecedented challenges for traffic management

Captain Nguyen Van Long of Traffic Police Team No. 3 noted that the final weeks of the year, especially weekends, witness a sudden spike in vehicle numbers as people rush to complete their Tet preparations.

“Traffic management now extends beyond peak morning and evening hours; even midday requires intervention. Our traffic plans are continuously adjusted to respond to changing conditions,” Long stated.

Lieutenant Colonel Dang Hong Giang, Head of Traffic Police Team No. 3, highlighted that the Ring Road 2, spanning 43.6 km, already experiences high traffic density on regular days.

“During the Tet season, traffic volume increases by 3 to 5 times, leading to extreme congestion at certain points,” Giang explained.

Intensified efforts to ensure smooth travel

Since December 15, the Hanoi Traffic Police Department has launched an intensive campaign to ensure road safety and traffic order before, during, and after the Tet holiday.

All available officers have been mobilized to focus on traffic flow management and congestion prevention. Additional measures include stricter patrols and enforcement of traffic laws, targeting violations that contribute to congestion and accidents.

“Our goal is to provide residents with safe and convenient travel during this festive season,” the department representative emphasized.

Dinh Hieu