The Traffic Police Department plans to ban vehicles from leaving Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City on some highways on February 22nd (the 6th day of Tet) to prioritize traffic flow into the centers of the two cities.
Representatives of the Traffic Police Department (Ministry of Public Security) said that the two expressways expected to apply the road ban plan include: Phap Van - Cau Gie expressway (temporarily banned in the direction from Hanoi to Thanh Hoa); Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway (temporarily banned in the direction from Ho Chi Minh City to Long Thanh); and Ho Chi Minh City - Trung Luong - My Thuan expressway (temporarily banned in the direction from Ho Chi Minh City to Trung Luong).
The temporary vehicle ban was issued in the context that the number of vehicles pouring into Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City is forecast to increase sharply on February 22 - the last day of the 9-day Lunar New Year 2026 holiday.
According to records, as of February 21, the traffic volume returning to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City through new highways reached more than 566,000 turns (about 44.42%); and more than 708,000 turns (about 55.57%) are expected to continue moving on February 22, posing a potential risk of prolonged congestion. Therefore, the option of banning roads leaving the city is calculated to prioritize vehicles entering the city.
The Traffic Police Department requests traffic participants to seriously comply with the guidance and regulation of functional forces on highways.
People and tourists should proactively monitor traffic ban and vehicle ban information in real time before departing during the peak period at the end of the Tet holiday.
If traveling in a restricted direction, it is necessary to consider adjusting travel hours or choosing alternative national highways and ring roads to avoid congestion.
At the same time, it is necessary to maintain a safe distance, comply with traffic signs and instructions from functional forces to ensure smooth and safe journeys.
