The information was given by Mr. Ly Thanh Long - Chief of Office of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction, at the regular press conference on the afternoon of March 19.
Dien Bien Phu - Nguyen Binh Khiem roundabout (Tan Dinh ward) is one of the important intersections, connecting the eastern gateway with the central area of Ho Chi Minh City.
The project was built more than 20 years ago, with a diameter of about 60 m, surrounded by many green trees. In the center is a 4-sided clock tower about 16 m high - a familiar image of the area.
Currently, this intersection does not install traffic lights but organizes traffic in the form of a roundabout, allowing vehicles to turn around and turn into surrounding roads.
According to Mr. Ly Thanh Long, the increasing traffic volume makes the Dien Bien Phu - Nguyen Binh Khiem roundabout area often overloaded, especially during peak hours.
Over the past time, functional sectors have implemented a number of solutions to reduce pressure on the roundabout. Specifically, traffic lights have been installed at the Dien Bien Phu - Nguyen Cuu Van intersection to regulate traffic flow and limit the volume of vehicles congested to the roundabout area and Hang Xanh intersection. At the same time, traffic reorganization on Mai Thi Luu street has also been implemented.
However, congestion still occurs frequently. Faced with this reality, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction believes that the study and adjustment of traffic organization at Dien Bien Phu roundabout is necessary.
In the short term, Mr. Ly Thanh Long said that the Department of Construction will coordinate with the Ho Chi Minh City Police and related units to adjust the traffic light system at nearby intersections such as Dien Bien Phu - Dinh Tien Hoang, Dien Bien Phu - Nguyen Cuu Van, Nguyen Binh Khiem - Nguyen Van Thu. At the same time, traffic information in real time will be updated through traffic signs so that people can proactively choose suitable routes.
In the long term, the Traffic Management and Technical Infrastructure Center is assigned to preside over the research of overall renovation plans for the area. In which, the plan to dismantle the roundabout to replace it with a traffic light system is only one scenario being considered.
In addition, other solutions were also discussed such as adjusting the size of the roundabout, keeping a part and organizing a left turn waiting lane inside, changing the traffic direction of some roads, or connecting traffic light systems at nearby intersections to create a "green wave", reducing traffic conflicts.
It is expected that the options will be summarized, reported and submitted in April 2026 for consideration and decision.
