In the afternoon of February 21 (the 5th day of the Lunar New Year of Binh Ngo), many people from provinces and cities began to return to Hanoi to prepare for work and study, even though the holiday still had 1 day left.
Reporters' records show that from about 5 pm, the volume of vehicles moving on National Highway 1A in the direction of the inner city, passing through the Nuoc Ngam Bus Station area, increased significantly.
Traffic from southern provinces such as Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa... continuously poured in, causing traffic in this area to fall into a state of congestion.
At some points, vehicles lined up for nearly 1km, moving slowly.
The number of vehicles pouring into the Capital this afternoon increased sharply, the area in front of the bus station was congested, so moving was quite difficult. It took me nearly 20 minutes to get through the Ngoc Hoi - Giai Phong intersection," said Mr. Le Van Manh (32 years old, from Ninh Binh).
Forecasting increased traffic volume, the Traffic Police force has arranged more officers at key intersections to organize traffic diversion and regulation, minimizing the risk of prolonged congestion.
At the same time, on the Phap Van - Cau Gie expressway, the flow of cars heading towards the center of Hanoi increased sharply, lined up for more than 3km.
The rapid increase in traffic during peak hours sometimes causes traffic here to stagnate.
Traffic police have deployed guidance and regulation for vehicles to avoid conflicts between straight-forward vehicles and vehicles turning onto the Ring Road 3 intersection.
It is forecasted that from this afternoon to tonight and tomorrow (February 22), traffic pressure at the southern gateway of Hanoi will continue to increase as people return to the city after the Lunar New Year holiday.
Functional forces recommend that people need to be proactive in their travel time, avoid going during peak hours at gateway routes. Vehicle drivers must comply with traffic rules, do not drive after drinking alcohol, do not speed or overtake recklessly.
Passenger transport vehicles need to strictly comply with traffic safety regulations, not carrying more than the prescribed number of people, ensuring safety for passengers on their journey to the Capital.
When people detect violations of traffic safety and order, they can send images and video clips to the Zalo page "Hanoi Traffic Police Department" or call the hotline 0243. 942. 4451 to report.
People need to pay attention to their travel routes when returning to the Capital after the Lunar New Year holiday.
Accordingly, in the direction from southern provinces and cities to Hanoi, vehicles can follow the routes: Phap Van - Cau Gie expressway to the city center; old National Highway 1 through old districts such as Phu Xuyen, Thuong Tin, Thanh Tri, Hoang Mai to Giai Phong - Ngoc Hoi intersection.
In case of simultaneous congestion in the above areas, vehicles moving from Van Diem intersection, Dai Xuyen intersection (former Phu Xuyen district) to National Highway 6 (Nguyen Trai - Tran Phu - Quang Trung axis) - Ba La intersection, road 21B - National Highway 38, or moving on the left bank dike of the Red River to the center of Hanoi.
As for the eastern provinces (Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Hung Yen), follow the directions of Hai Phong - Hanoi expressway, National Highway 5, National Highway 1A through Phu Dong bridge to Nguyen Van Linh and Co Linh streets...
