According to Lao Dong, from early afternoon on April 5, many people began to leave Hanoi to return to their hometown to celebrate the Hung Kings' Commemoration of the Commemoration of the Commemoration of the King's Commemoration.
The weather in Hanoi has drizzle and fog, making it more difficult for people to travel, especially for motorbikes.
Many roads such as Thang Long Avenue (near the intersection with Khuat Duy Tien Street), elevated Ring Road 3, Khuat Duy Tien Street... experienced serious congestion due to the sudden increase in traffic volume.
At major intersections in the area, the Traffic Police force has been increased to serve the task of dividing traffic flows, regulating traffic... to limit congestion, helping people travel more conveniently.
At 3:00 p.m. on April 5, the elevated Ring Road 3 towards the southern gateway experienced serious congestion.
Traffic congestion occurred from Mai Dich to Phap Van - Cau Gie Expressway, about 10km long, with a long line of vehicles inching forward.
Many drivers said that it took them about 2 hours to escape Ring Road 3 to enter the Phap Van - Cau Gie Expressway.
After escaping Ring Road 3, drivers encountered congestion on the Phap Van - Cau Gie Expressway from the beginning of the route to the Phap Van Toll Station. Vehicles took more than 30 minutes to pass through the traffic jam of more than 6km.
Driver Tran Huu Phuong (39 years old, from Nghe An) said that vehicles moving at a "row-row" speed on Ring Road 3 had to move slowly. There was a time when I was "stuck" for dozens of minutes on the elevated Ring Road 3.
"I entered Ring Road 3 at 1:30 p.m. but are still "watching" on the highway. The road is seriously overloaded, and usually cannot meet the travel needs of people, let alone during holidays and Tet. It's very frustrating but I have to accept it because I don't have a better choice" - Mr. Phuong was frustrated.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha (30 years old, from Nghe An) said that if traffic is convenient, the 300km journey from the capital to home only takes about 5-6 hours, but in this situation, it sometimes takes up to 7-8 hours because the traffic flow moves like a "row" following each other for kilometers on Ring Road 3.
"Seeing the car inching forward on the road was helpless. I have never seen such a long way home" - Ms. Ha lamented.
It is expected that from this afternoon to tonight, the number of vehicles heading to the gateway to leave Hanoi will be more crowded.
The authorities recommend that people choose a suitable travel route to limit congestion; comply with the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety, the instructions of tour guides, traffic regulation so that the journey back to their hometown for the holiday is safe and convenient.
