Facing increased traffic congestion toward the end of the year, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has instructed relevant agencies to explore temporary measures, including the use of sidewalks, to improve traffic flow.

Addressing year-end traffic challenges

The implementation of the 2024 Law on Traffic Safety and Order and Government Decree No. 168/2024/NĐ-CP has led to noticeable improvements in traffic safety across Ho Chi Minh City.

However, with rising demands for transportation and mobility during the year-end period, the density of vehicles on central roads has surged, leading to prolonged congestion at various hotspots since the beginning of 2025.

In response, the city’s chairman has directed the Traffic Safety Committee, the Department of Transport, the municipal police, and other stakeholders to implement viable solutions to alleviate congestion, particularly at key intersections, within 24 to 48 hours.

The committee has also been tasked with reviewing and proposing the temporary use of sidewalks to support traffic activities during the busy year-end period.

This effort will include surveys at areas where sidewalks and roads are frequently encroached upon for business or parking, causing obstructions and traffic bottlenecks.

The city police have been instructed to increase patrols and collaborate with local traffic police to manage traffic at crowded areas and high-risk intersections during peak hours, holidays, and Tet celebrations.

Officers will combine enforcement with public education, ensuring violations are addressed in a manner that balances fairness with legal compliance, emphasizing clear communication with offenders.

To further optimize traffic flow, the Department of Transport has been directed to promptly address traffic light malfunctions and adjust existing systems.

This includes revising traffic signal operations and enhancing road signs to better reflect actual conditions. The department will also consider creating additional right-turn or continuous lanes at suitable locations to improve efficiency while ensuring safety.

Ho Chi Minh City has already installed 500 right-turn signals at 200 intersections. The city’s leadership has emphasized monitoring these installations to evaluate their effectiveness and ensure they do not inadvertently lead to unsafe driving habits or difficulties for pedestrians and disabled individuals at crosswalks.

Tuan Kiet