This afternoon (December 31st), a large number of people in Ho Chi Minh City moved to the Western Bus Station, the old Eastern Bus Station, and the gateways of Ho Chi Minh City to return to their hometowns or travel during the New Year holiday.
According to Lao Dong's records, from more than 4 pm on December 31, the old Mien Dong bus station had begun to become crowded. Roads leading to the bus station, people and vehicles came in and out continuously. Inside the station, the rows of waiting houses were crowded with passengers, mostly passengers who had bought tickets in advance and went to the station to wait for the bus pick-up time.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu (going back to Lam Dong) said: "This year's holiday has many days off, so I took advantage of going back to my hometown to visit my family. From this afternoon, the bus station is already crowded, I took advantage of going out early to get tickets, I'm afraid of traffic jams.
On the afternoon of December 31st, the eastern gateway of Ho Chi Minh City fell into traffic congestion. Records at An Phu intersection show that traffic volume increased sharply on the last day of the year, and prolonged congestion occurred in many directions.
Mr. Nguyen Van Son, his wife and two young children were stuck in traffic on Mai Chi Tho street, complaining: "I started at 4 pm, intending to return to my hometown early for the holiday. Unexpectedly, just after leaving the center, I encountered traffic jams.
On Mai Chi Tho street, the flow of cars, motorbikes and container trucks lined up, moving slowly from the central area of Ho Chi Minh City towards An Phu intersection. At times, vehicles had to move little by little because the number of vehicles congested into this area was too large.
In the direction from the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway to the An Phu intersection, congestion was also recorded. The traffic flow stretched for kilometers, especially cars and trucks, causing the eastern gateway area of the city to often fall into overload during afternoon rush hours.
Conversely, the direction from An Phu intersection to the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway is quite clear. Vehicles circulate stably, no congestion occurs even though the traffic density increases compared to normal days.
Functional forces were present to regulate and divert traffic, limiting congestion at key intersections on the last day of the year.
Recorded that the T3 terminal area of Tan Son Nhat airport is also bustling with passengers in the afternoon of December 31st.
During the Lunar New Year 2026, Tan Son Nhat International Airport is expected to serve an average of about 131,000 passengers per day, an increase of about 09% compared to the current number of passengers (120,000 passengers/day) and an increase of about 17% compared to the Lunar New Year 2025 peak flight schedule. On the two peak days of January 1, 2026 and January 4, 2026, the airport is expected to serve 135,000 passengers.
The Traffic Police Department of Ho Chi Minh City Police said that during the New Year holiday of 2026, it is forecast that the traffic volume in the city will increase sharply, especially on gateway roads, bus stations, train stations, airports....
In order to ensure traffic safety and order, avoid prolonged traffic jams during Tet, the Traffic Police Department recommends that people proactively monitor traffic information, choose appropriate times and routes to avoid peak hours.
The Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Police force also mobilized flycams combined with a system of surveillance cameras, monitoring traffic from above to promptly divert and regulate traffic.
At the same time, effectively exploit the traffic surveillance camera system, strengthen coordination with press agencies to promptly provide and update traffic information in real time, helping people proactively choose appropriate routes.
