TP Hồ Chí Minh: Giao thông cuối năm quá tải, người dân mệt mỏi vì ùn tắc | VTV24

Key Concepts

• Traffic Congestion (Ùn tắc giao thông): The primary issue discussed, characterized by increased traffic volume and slow movement of vehicles.
• Economic and Social Activities (Hoạt động kinh tế xã hội): Factors contributing to increased traffic, especially towards the end of the year.
• Infrastructure (Hạ tầng): The physical capacity of roads and transportation networks.
• Vehicle Volume (Lưu lượng phương tiện): The number of vehicles on the road.
• Average Speed (Tốc độ trung bình): A metric used to quantify traffic flow.
• Economic Impact (Ảnh hưởng kinh tế): Consequences of traffic congestion on businesses and productivity.
• Daily Life Impact (Ảnh hưởng đời sống): Consequences of traffic congestion on individuals and families.
• Food Safety (An toàn thực phẩm): A concern arising from delayed meal preparation due to traffic.
• Wage Deduction (Trừ lương): A consequence of being late for work due to traffic.
• Fuel Consumption (Khoán xăng dầu): Increased fuel usage due to idling in traffic.

Traffic Congestion in Ho Chi Minh City: A Growing Problem

Increased Traffic Volume and Congestion Hotspots

Towards the end of the year, Ho Chi Minh City experiences a significant surge in economic and social activities, leading to a substantial increase in the number of people and vehicles on the roads. This heightened traffic volume exacerbates existing congestion, particularly in key areas.

Specific Examples:

• Thủ Đức District: Families in the eastern gateway of the city, like Mr. Nhân's family, are forced to wake up before 6 AM to ensure their children can get to school and they can reach work on time. Despite these efforts, they often face delays due to unavoidable traffic jams.
• Vinhomes Area (Thủ Đức): The main road connecting to the Nguyễn Tăng - Nguyễn X intersection is identified as the most congested area. This bottleneck is particularly severe during peak hours, such as rush hour and mornings when people commute to work or take their children to school.
• Major Arteries: Congestion is not limited to gateway areas like National Highway 1, National Highway 13, and Hanoi Highway (now Võ Nguyên Giáp). It is also a frequent occurrence in the city center and at transportation hubs.
• Transportation Hubs: Ports like Cát Lái and Tan Son Nhat Airport, along with major traffic interchanges, are also experiencing significant traffic jams.

Severity and Contributing Factors

The traffic congestion in Ho Chi Minh City is becoming increasingly severe. According to the Department of Construction, the problem has worsened by 24% compared to 2024. The primary drivers behind this escalation are:

• Rapid Increase in Vehicle Volume: The number of vehicles on the road is growing at a pace that outstrips the development of infrastructure.
• Inadequate Infrastructure: The existing road network and transportation facilities are not keeping up with the demand.

Observations on Worsening Congestion:

• One individual notes that the congestion has become "considerably worse" recently. While at the beginning of the year, congestion was primarily confined to administrative working hours (morning and evening commutes), now, even leaving home at 9 or 10 AM can still result in encountering traffic jams in certain locations.

Impacts of Traffic Congestion

The escalating traffic congestion has far-reaching consequences, affecting not only daily life but also economic production and business operations.

Impacts on Daily Life:

• Fatigue and Reduced Productivity: The sheer exhaustion from navigating traffic jams can leave individuals feeling drained, impacting their ability to engage in further activities after returning home.
• Food Safety Concerns: Delayed commutes mean parents are unable to prepare meals at home, forcing families to eat out. This raises concerns about food safety and potential risks.
• Financial Penalties: Lateness to work due to traffic can lead to salary deductions, as highlighted by the mention of "trừ lương" (wage deduction).

Impacts on Business and Economy:

• Increased Operational Costs: For businesses that rely on fuel allowances for their vehicles, prolonged idling in traffic leads to increased fuel consumption. For example, a vehicle stuck in traffic for 15-20 minutes is essentially stationary, impacting reporting and efficiency.

Current Traffic Flow Metrics

The Department of Construction has provided data on the current average speed of traffic in the city:

• Citywide Average Speed: Approximately 35 kilometers per hour (km/h).
• Southern Area: The lowest average speed, around 33 km/h.
• Eastern Area: The highest average speed, but still only around 40 km/h.

Comparison: The current average speed is even slower than the pace of vehicles moving through a construction site, underscoring the severity of the congestion.

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

The transcript highlights a critical and worsening traffic congestion problem in Ho Chi Minh City, driven by increasing vehicle numbers and insufficient infrastructure. This issue significantly impacts the daily lives of residents, leading to fatigue, food safety concerns, and financial penalties. Furthermore, it hampers economic activities by increasing operational costs and reducing productivity. The data on average speeds clearly illustrates the extent of the problem, with traffic moving at a crawl in many areas. Addressing this challenge requires a multi-faceted approach that considers both infrastructure development and traffic management strategies.