The volume of vehicles returning to Hanoi capital after the holiday is forecast to increase sharply in the evening of May 3, putting great pressure on traffic infrastructure at the gateways of the Capital.
Right from the afternoon of May 3, the last day of the holiday, people began to leave their localities to return to Hanoi, preparing for a new working week. Records at many gateway routes such as the Phap Van - Cau Gie expressway, Noi Bai - Lao Cai, Hanoi - Hai Phong and key roads leading to the center show that traffic volume has increased sharply compared to normal days.
In the eastern gateway area, on the Hanoi - Hai Phong expressway, the axis connecting Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Hai Duong, Hung Yen provinces with the Capital, the flow of vehicles is increasing rapidly.
At some times, vehicles move slowly, even having to stop to wait from a distance of 2-3km before the toll station. After passing through the station, vehicles continue to line up to move slowly for many kilometers, especially in the directions of turning to Co Linh - Long Bien, National Highway 1 to Bac Ninh or up Thanh Tri bridge - Ring Road 3.
At about 4 pm, the traffic volume from Thanh Tri bridge direction to the city center also increased rapidly compared to previous days.
At the southern gateway, the density of vehicles on National Highway 1A and the beginning of the Phap Van - Cau Gie expressway, Yen So park area increased significantly. Ngoc Hoi street towards the inner city also recorded a crowded situation from early morning.
Faced with this development, the Traffic Police Department of Hanoi City Police proactively developed a response plan. Functional forces adjusted the traffic light cycle, organized remote traffic diversion, and focused on relieving pressure at hot spots such as the end of Phap Van expressway, Ring Road 3 elevated road, Nguyen Xien... to prevent prolonged congestion in the inner city area.
Representatives of the unit said that they have mobilized 100% of the force, deployed forces at 287 intersections in the area, and at the same time coordinated with commune-level police to regulate traffic, ensuring smooth traffic flow. In parallel, patrol and control work has been strengthened, strictly handling violations such as alcohol concentration, speeding, carrying more people, and stopping and parking in violation of regulations.
Representatives of the Traffic Police Department of Hanoi Police said that the unit has proactively deployed traffic diversion and regulation plans early to limit congestion, especially during peak hours in the late afternoon when the number of vehicles gathering increases.
Lieutenant Colonel Tran Quang Chinh, Deputy Head of Traffic Police Team No. 1, said: "As of 10 am on May 3, inner-city traffic is stable, routes such as Tran Nhat Duat, Chuong Duong bridge are circulating normally. However, the unit has prepared a plan to be on duty for the evening rush hour, when the number of people returning to the Capital is forecast to increase sharply.
At the gateways, traffic police forces maintain continuous duty, coordinate to divert traffic flexibly. Captain Nguyen Huy Chien, officer of Traffic Police Team No. 5, said that the working groups are deployed synchronously, both handling violations and guiding regulation to maintain stable traffic flow.
At the Pham Hung - Pham Van Dong axis and the elevated Ring Road 3, Lieutenant Colonel Pham Van Chien, Head of Traffic Police Team No. 6, said that the unit has arranged fixed checkpoints at the entry and exit points, combined with mobile patrols to promptly handle incidents, and prevent prolonged congestion.
Meanwhile, in the western area, Traffic Police Team No. 7 also proactively plans to welcome traffic flows from all directions to the center, ensuring smooth traffic.
In addition, the artificial intelligence application surveillance camera system is operated continuously, transmitting data to the Command Center, helping to detect early points with high vehicle density to promptly regulate.
Functional agencies recommend that on the last day of the holiday, the weather may experience heavy rain, traffic participants need to reduce speed, maintain a safe distance and strictly comply with regulations to limit the risk of collisions, ensuring a safe journey back to the Capital.
