The cause was determined to be a civil dispute between three parties including Vietnam Expressway Development Investment Corporation, Thai Son E&C Joint Stock Company and Chau Thanh Petroleum Trading and Service Co., Ltd. related to business rights and ownership of assets at gas stations.
More worryingly, the expressway from Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang is nearly 400km long, with many sections put into operation, currently there are almost no gas stations operating on the entire route.
Even the rest stop at Vinh Hao - Phan Thiet section, which has been operating since January 26, does not have a gas station due to waiting for appraisal.
Many drivers are forced to drive back down the national highway to refuel and then return to the expressway. This is a temporary solution, both time-consuming and meaningless for the expressway, and potentially congested at entry and exit points.
In conditions of a sudden increase in the number of vehicles, just a few vehicles running out of fuel in the middle of the road, the risk of chain traffic jams is very high, even leading to traffic accidents.
It should be emphasized that ensuring the supply of gasoline and oil on key traffic axes is not just a business story, but a safety issue.
Especially during Tet, when the flow of people returning to their hometowns increases, letting drivers fall into a "dilemma" because they have no place to refuel is unacceptable.
If the shortage of gas stations on the expressway lasts, passenger and cargo transportation will be directly affected.
Long-distance vehicles without suitable refueling points will have to calculate extremely, increasing the risk of illegal parking, causing unsafety and increasing pressure on functional forces.
The Domestic Market Management and Development Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) has sent a document to the Dong Nai Department of Industry and Trade requesting support for fuel supply solutions on the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway.
In this urgent time, the drastic and flexible involvement of local and central management agencies is very necessary.
Civil disputes must still be handled in accordance with legal procedures, but urgent solutions are needed so that gas stations can resume operations during the peak period before, during and after Tet.
We cannot let people become the "risk bearers" from prolonged legal obstacles. The expressway is built to shorten the journey, not to prolong worries.
These days, cars line up to return to their hometowns for Tet, what people need is not roundabout explanations, but gas stations opening and lights on.
Please note that vehicles traveling on highways, running out of gas is not only inconvenient, but can become a danger.
