On February 26, the Traffic Police Department of Quang Tri Provincial Police said that it had deployed a peak period of general control of inland waterway vehicles, rudimentary self-made vehicles and vehicles that do not meet operating conditions on inland waterway routes.
The goal is not to let "vacant areas" occur in management, ensuring safety for people when participating in waterway traffic.
The peak period is divided into two phases. Phase 1, from February 23 to March 14, 2026, will focus on reviewing all inland waterway vehicles, rudimentary and self-made vehicles, especially tourist attractions, sightseeing spots and festivals with waterway activities.
Functional agencies will coordinate with local authorities to inspect the registration and inspection status of vehicles, and organize propaganda on legal regulations on waterway traffic safety.
Phase 2, from March 15 to the end of April 14, 2026, the traffic police force will continue to coordinate to organize 24/24 hour patrols and controls on key river routes such as Gianh River, Kien Giang River, Son River, Long Dai River, Dinh River, Cua Viet area, ferry terminals, and boat anchorage areas.
The general inspection focuses on all groups of waterway vehicles, including passenger transport vehicles, sand and gravel mining vessels, vehicles serving aquaculture and fishing, and people's vehicles.
Functional forces will check factors such as registration certificates, technical safety conditions of vehicles, professional certificates of drivers, and life-saving equipment such as life jackets. At the same time, alcohol and drug concentration checks for crew members are also strictly carried out.
Ferry terminals will be the focus of inspection, with the requirement to ensure operating conditions, the number of passengers not exceeding regulations, and the requirement to use life jackets or personal floating devices.
All violations of the number of passengers, vehicles without registration or drivers without professional certificates will be strictly handled.
In parallel with inspection work, the traffic police force also promotes propaganda on waterway traffic laws, especially on skills to prevent accidents and handle situations when encountering incidents.
Propaganda also focuses on raising awareness of wearing life jackets when participating in traffic, especially in rainy, flood, rising water and fast-flowing weather conditions.
On February 19 (the 3rd day of Tet), a serious boat capsizing occurred on the Gianh River, the section flowing through Tuyen Binh commune, Quang Tri province.
The incident related to the self-made lifeboat of Mr. Nguyen Van Ha, residing in Tan Hoa village, Tuyen Binh commune, when this boat capsized while moving on the river. The boat was borrowed and operated by Mr. Nguyen Van Tam, 68 years old, carrying 7 family members. The boat capsized, killing 4 family members.
